Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFor England fans of a certain age, Euro 2004 remains one of the Three Lions most memorable tournaments of the modern era.This was largely down to the performances of a teenage Wayne Rooney, who announced himself to an international audience with a string of fearless, breathtaking showings, as what would soon be dubbed the golden generation began to dream of ending Englands long wait for a major trophy.Joe Cole and Ashley Cole were both part of Sven-Goran Erikssons squad in Portugal for a campaign that ended in familiar fashion, as the Three Lions went out on penalties to the hosts in the quarter-finals.Joe Cole and Ashley Cole on Euro 2004For the two former team-mates, that summer remains a tantalising tournament defined by fine margains and can serve up lessons for Englands current generation.For Joe Cole, the defining memory of Euro 2004 was Rooneys emergence, as the then-Everton striker became the youngest player to score at a European Championship and looked capable of dragging his country deep into the tournament. You may like The sliding doors moments didnt go for us in 2006. A different pass here, a better refereeing decision there Joe Coles England 2006 World Cup regrets Theres going to be a moment where England are under the cosh to win the World Cup, someone is going to have to take the game by the scruff of the neck Joe Cole on what England need to do to win the World Cup In this World Cup, everything needs to work. If the big man upstairs says its Englands time, then its Englands time Joe Cole on reflects on his 2010 Three Lions experience "The emergence of Wayne Rooney he was amazing, Joe recalls.Ashley Coles first thought is not Rooney, but Englands blockbuster opening match of the tournament, when they were pitted against holders France, when Erikssons side were on course for a famous victory before a stoppage-time brace from the irressitable Zinedine Zidane turned the game on its head.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Against France, is Ashleys response, before Joe chrips in: Zidanes free-kick.And penalty, Ashley continues, before Joe jokes that: We ran into some decent teams!Despite the manner of Englands exit, Ashley realises how special it was to represent England at such a tournament. What to read next The 2002 World Cup was the first time I was around big names. It made me understand I was capable of playing with top players and at major tournaments Ashley Cole on Englands 2002 rollercoaster tournament Fabio Capello stopped us from going swimming with sharks. I was fuming! Joe Cole on the England squads boredom at the 2010 World Cup We lost a lot of shootouts from 1990 and it became a thing. You have to credit Jordan Pickford and the boys theyve turned that round Joe Cole on how England ended their penalty hoodoo But it was still an amazing experience, he continues. Were lucky that weve been around England setups the hotels we went to were unbelievable. They give you every chance to win, but as Joe said, we played against some tough teams.Firstly an unbelievable French side. You go 1-0 up, the emergence of Rooney it was only a matter of time before he burst on to the scene but we couldnt get it over the line. Then the next game, he gets injured? Or sent off?Joe is there to correct his former team-mate before looking ahead: No, in the quarter-final he got injured, didnt he? It changed the game one of those sliding doors moments.If England are going to win the World Cup this year, theyre going to need those moments to go for them your best player whos in the form of his life staying fit, or a referee deciding to give you something that could have gone against you.The margins are so small. People get a lot of criticism for not winning the World Cup, but its very difficult to do. There are some great teams who havent done it.Could It Be Coming Home? with Joe Cole and Ashley Cole is brought to you by Carling, official sponsor of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Womens FA Cup. Watch the show on YouTube and Spotify, or listen to it wherever you get your podcastsTOPICSEnglandWorld CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
