Newspapers today led on the news that football is no longer coming home, but as last night’s game stretched into extra time some titles had already prepared headlines for an England win over Croatia.
Ben Peston, executive editor of the Sunday Times shared the cover “that never was” of a mocked-up souvenir programme in anticipation of the Three Lions reaching the final against France.
The cover that never was … #sundaytimes pic.twitter.com/hjxyTMfQOd
— Ben Preston (@RTBenPreston) July 11, 2018
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Ian Carter, editorial director of KM Group, and Denise Eaton, editor of the Kent Messenger, also shared a mock-up of the paper that was being prepared in anticipation of an England win.
The wrap-around cover featured the headline “Dare to dream… It’s coming home” and an image of the successful England team of 1966 lifting the Jules Rimet trophy, still gleaming.
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The front page special I wish I could have brought you this week. #England #WorldCup18 #ENGCRO #proud pic.twitter.com/zUky7FSRKl
— Denise Eaton (@deatonNT) July 11, 2018
Carter said on Twitter: “We’ve got late deadlines for some of our papers tonight, but it’s still going to be very tight.
“We’ve had to prepare for both outcomes – the thought of printing either makes me feel a bit sick for different reasons.”
The Kent Messenger instead went with the headline “End of the world” following the England defeat.
David Powles, editor of Archant titles the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News, tweeted a picture the daily paper’s front page being designed, with the headline “Bring on France” discarded.
Pre-prepared headlines that never saw light of day. Aren’t they just the saddest of things? #Journalism pic.twitter.com/kLM4vsmvEU
— David Powles (@David_Powles) July 11, 2018
The England squad were described as “heroes” and “national treasures” in today’s daily national newspapers despite their 2-1 defeat yesterday.
Andy Walker, senior communications manager for England said on Twitter: “The morning after being 22 minutes from a World Cup final but waking up to these front & back pages confirms the significant progress this England squad has made over the last 7 weeks.”
The morning after being 22 minutes from a #WorldCup final ? but waking up to these front & back pages confirms the significant progress this @England squad has made over the last 7 weeks.
Immensely honoured to be a part of these #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/Tq2Gg6C3lR
— Andy Walker (@_andywalker_) July 12, 2018
But not everyone was happy with the British press.
Croatian midfielder Luka Modric told ITV in a post-match interview that the English media had “underestimated Croatia”, adding that had been a “huge mistake”.
“All these words from them, we take, we were reading and we were saying: ‘OK we will see today who will be tired’. Like I said they should be more humble and respectful of the opponents.”
UK national newspaper front pages 12/7/18:
Picture: Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach
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