You know, hat tricks are common, but in a game like the finals, the two sides may not be completely evenly matched, but they are definitely both good teams, and the strength difference is usually not too great.
Moreover, even if there is a gap in strength, players on both sides will do their homework in advance, keep a close eye on the opponent's main scorer, and limit his scoring ability.
This is also the reason why, although both teams are aggressive offensive teams in normal times, in the crucial finals, they always end up with small scores like 1:0, 1:1, and 2:1.
Therefore, it is definitely not easy to achieve a hat trick when both sides are basically evenly matched, both sides have done enough homework in advance, and both sides are in a very cautious mentality.
The only hat-trick at Wembley Stadium this time was actually a double hat-trick.
This classic event is called the "Matthews Final". In 1953, Matthews, who was 38 years old at the time, announced his comeback for this League Cup final. At the age of 38, he completed a hat-trick of three assists on the field, helping Blackpool striker Stan Motson complete a hat-trick of goals, and helped the team beat Bolton 4:3 to win the FA Cup.
Since then, no team has been able to achieve the feat of completing a hat trick in the finals.
The new Wembley Stadium was completed in 2007, and this renovation gave the century-old stadium a brand new look.
The most impressive feature of the new Wembley Stadium is a 133-meter-high arch on the stadium. The total length of the arch is 315 meters, making it the longest single-span roof structure in the world.
The main function of the arch of Wembley Stadium is lighting. The light it emits at night is like a beautiful rainbow bridge, which echoes the famous building London Eye not far away.
The stands of Wembley Stadium are divided into three levels, with a total of more than 34,000 seats on the lower level, more than 16,000 seats on the middle level, and more than 39,000 seats on the upper level.
The stadium is equipped with two super-large screens, each of which is as large as 600 ordinary TVs.
It is particularly worth mentioning that the new Wembley Stadium has a total of 2,618 toilets, setting a Guinness World Record.
The turf at Wembley Stadium is also the best in the world. As a five-star stadium certified by European clubs, Wembley Stadium has professionals to maintain the turf almost every day to ensure that the turf is in the best possible condition for the game.
After the four-hour training session, Southampton players returned to the hotel, had dinner and then rested.
The reason why the club booked the hotel one day in advance was to prevent Southampton players from having to travel long distances before the game.
Not to mention Southampton Club, Tottenham Hotspur Club is obviously in London, but for this game, Tottenham Hotspur Club also specially booked a hotel near Wembley Stadium early so that their players can get enough rest.
Originally, Tottenham could reach Wembley Stadium by bus in half an hour, but after booking the hotel, it only took 5 minutes to take the bus to Wembley Stadium.
The reduced travel time is not much, but even if it can reduce the physical burden on the players a little bit, it will be very important for both teams in the final.
Of course, the biggest problem is how to restrain the players.
When these energetic and physically fit players get together, it is inevitable that they will go to the bar before the game.
Not to mention that South American players are undisciplined, even German players who are known for their self-discipline have been known to drink before major competitions.
As for British players, this behavior is also very common. There was even an incident where a well-known captain took his team to a bar to sing, which resulted in a conflict between two main players of the team, and one of them picked up a golf club and attacked the other's buttocks.
Fortunately, Southampton's discipline is still good. Adkins strictly requires all players to stay in the house honestly, go to bed early, and not go out without permission.
At 9:30 in the evening, after Gu Ran finished a set of strength training in his room and was about to go to bed, his cell phone rang.
Gu Ran picked it up and saw that it was Peter Crouch calling.
The war is imminent, and Gao Lao actually calls...
"Hi!" The voices around Crouch were extremely noisy. "Hi Gu! Can you hear me? I'm your big brother Crouch! I'm in the bar at Wembley Stadium! It's so lively here! Abby is here too! She wants to see you! Come out and play!"
Holy shit…
Gu Ran said quickly: "Hi, Peter, I'm sorry I've already gone to bed. Besides, we have a competition tomorrow, so we shouldn't meet up for fun at this time, right?"
Crouch laughed and said, "Haha! Gu, you are too rigid! Come on, come on, we just want to meet and chat, I promise! I will definitely let you go back to bed before 11 o'clock! Besides, with our physical conditions, even if we play until 12 o'clock tonight, can it delay tomorrow's game?"
Gu Ran continued to refuse: "I'm really sorry, Peter. I respect you very much. If you can invite me, of course I would be happy to go, but not today."
"Give it to me! Let me talk to him!" Abbey Clancy grabbed the phone. "Hi, Gu, it's me. I'm your Abbey."
Holy shit…
So corny!
If I go out, I won't be able to come back until 12 o'clock tonight.
Moreover, as soon as he heard Abbey Clancy's voice, Gu Ran's mind involuntarily presented a series of Abbey Clancy's private photos in the form of slides.
The latest one was sent last night, and Gu Ran was deeply impressed.
Abbey Clancy was really persistent. Gu Ran was even moved.
But Gu Ran is still a serious person after all, "Hello Abi... Goodbye Abi!"
After saying that, Gu Ran hung up the phone and turned off his phone.
This is called... Ten Moves, Yet Rejection! There is no other way. I could resist Abi's sultry energy before, but now my physical energy is so high and my physique is so good. Even if I am really a serious person, I can't sleep at night easily!
In order not to affect tomorrow's game, Gu Ran didn't care about being polite or not, and turned off the phone directly! After a while, Gu Ran fell into a deep sleep.
It was not until early the next morning that Gu Ran stretched beautifully and got up to do basic exercises.
After breakfast, Adkins led the players out of the hotel and took a bus to Wembley Stadium.
There were still a large number of media reporters and crazy Saints fans gathered in front of the hotel.
The fans held banners and sang Gu Ran's songs to cheer for the Southampton team.
Every Southampton player on the bus was infected by the spirit of the fans and their blood was boiling.
When the bus arrived at Wembley Stadium, Coach Adkins led the players to the away locker room for static training and tactical review.
A press conference was held in advance before lunch.
...(End of this chapter)