(Third person pov)
12 May 2004, Tours, Stade de la Vallée du Cher.
[2 hours before Kickoff]
John and Adam sat inside the dressing room, they both were looking at the Spanish playing 11 in the last game and were checking their counters for the the hundreth time.
A physio entered the room, rushing with a nokia in hand, "Boss, there's a slight problem, team doctor's on the call" he said handing John the phone.
"Hello, what happened?" said John in a gruff voice.
"I'm afraid Matt won't be able to play the game tonight sir" said Team doctor.
John raised his eyebrows, a little surprised, Matt was a valuable addition to their bench.
"Why?" He asked.
"It was an allergic reaction, last night the team celebrated with seafood, he was allergic to it, he didn't know, nor does his file mentioned anything" said the doctor.
John sighed, "let him rest in his room" he said cutting the phone.
John looked questioningly at Adam, "He did came to last night's dinner, I thought he was improving his behaviour, it's semifinals and maybe wanted a spot. I didn't knew this" he said quickly.
"It's intentional, he doesn't want to play, but also don't want disciplinary action against himself, so a new unregistered Allergy" said Adam with a frown.
"It doesn't matter, we're better team anyways. He will be a great player, just need to learn patience. And we've got time to teach him just that" said John.
It didn't sit well with him, he's managed a few U-17 and U-21 teams, he's been dealing with teenagers egoes and hormones for years, he understood them perfectly.
"Remove his name from the bench, Mark it as an unfortunate mishap in the report" said John to Adam who looked a little frustrated but nodded nonetheless.
(Pov end)
(Matt's pov)
"He left?", I was waiting for him to leave, finally I can just sit back and relax, lucky that they were having lobster last night.
They really thought they can make me sit there again, heh, I'm not going back there again.
It hurts a little, I don't know what, my pride or ego, I won't go philosophical for god's sake, it doesn't feels right.
Just because you win against some mediocre teams doesn't make you're shit players better.
Cesc Fàbregas, was playing today, it would have been great to play against him.. there was also Gerard Piqué.
They'll be at prem anyways, I'll play against them there.
There's still time for the game, I should just sleep, I had so many meds anyways.
(Pov end)
[2 hours end]
(Third person pov)
[Commentary box]
"And referee blows the whistle, it's half time and what an incredible 45 minutes Louise, the Spain has dominated the midfield and games tempo" said Lauren.
"The score is 0-3 Spain, Cesc Fàbregas has shown different levels, assisting one and scoring another." Said Lauren.
"Look at that, he cuts down two defenders, with ease, England's struggling, coach John peacock has to make changes" said Louise.
"None of us could have predicted this outcome of the first half Louis, England is the strongest side in the tournament, and Spain just battered them" said Lauren.
"I don't think England took a shot at goal, they were kept outside the box" said Louise.
"What do you think England should change?" Asked Lauren.
"That's coach John's job to find out. In any case, we are in for a entertaining match Lauren, you can't take eyes of that pitch" said Louise.
"Heh, I can't take eyes off of Penelope either" said Lauren with a laugh.
"Hey! That's my sister!" Exclaimed Louise.
"And that's my wife" said Louise
Both of them burst out laughing.
"The second half is going to be exciting, so don't go anywhere, we'll be back after a short break" said Lauren.
--
"It seems, England's coach has changed stretegy, few substitution, what do you make of that" said Louise.
"They needed to create chances now, be bold. I mean, I can't feel any different when my team lose 3-0, or 5-0. He needs more attackers, Top scorer Levi Porter has been missing from the entire game" said Lauren with heavy voice.
"Only if they had a player that could change the flow of game, they had one, if I remember correctly" said Louise.
"He's out of the tournament, We got news about Matthew Delevigne, last night England's dinner had been seafood, which caused him allergic reaction" said Lauren.
"Talk about being unlucky, don't worry now, he's fine. UEFA doctor had treated him." Said Louise.
"Woah, A good sliding challange by Nobel on Fabregas" said Lauren.
"Even Fabregas looks impressed" said Louise.
[Commentary box end]
John looked at his tactics board and sat down on the bench rubbing his hair, Adam on the side was looking at similar diagrams.
The match had gone off the rails, they conceded 3 times in just first half, and now were scrambling to make a change.
"Shit, except Nobel and Richard, everyone's playing this game like shit" muttered John.
Adam on the side didn't say anything, he was looking for spaces, that they could exploit to gain a few goals.
On the ground, Davis had the ball, he passed to Richard who passed back to the goalkeeper making Spain press.
Ben shot the ball, which headed by Mark landed on David's feet.
David tried passing to Levi, but it was intercepted by Gerard pique.
The game continued, even after substitutions from both sides, the score remained 0-3 to Spain.
After the final whistle England's players slumped down on the ground, some had tears in their eyes while others stilled in the emotion.
Mark hugged the crying players, it was heartbreaking for them, they had been flying, only to be eliminated in semifinals.
John shook hands with Spain's Manager, and walked to console his players, he remained stoic on the outside, but he was breaking inside.
This was his third tournament, third semifinal, and he already knew they were not going to qualify for the U-17 worldcup.
He constantly replayed the match in his mind, 'Where did it go wrong?' he thought.
And the answer was those two Spanish players, they had outclassed England's every player.
"We can still be third and compete boss, we've played Portugal before and won, just need to do that again" said Adam patting John's shoulder.
John sighed, Adam had said the same thing last two times, they lost both.
15 May 2004, Third-Place Playoff, Châteauroux, Stade Gaston Petit.
Portugal 3–2 England (after penalties)
England, who was said to be the favourites wasn't in the top three, the news caused FA to consider big changes.
(Monday 16 May 2004)
Flight: Paris CDG – London Heathrow.
The flight to Heathrow was long, atleast to the English players whose parents were waiting at the airport to pick them up.
Matt sat beside Joe hart, they both were bench warmers.
'To think one day he would become a club legend' thought Matt looking at joe who was frustrated with himself everyday.
Matt had stopped talking with the first team players except Mark, and it was not without reason.
It seems being called smaller and arrogant by Davis was enough for them to not talk with him.
"You not sitting with your gang" said Joe with a smirk.
"My gang?" He tilted his head.
"You know the main group, Porter, Fraizer and all." Said Joe clearly knowing well enough.
Matt doesn't reply, shut his eyes.
"I'm not making fun of you if that's what you're thinking" said Joe making Matt sigh.
"Then what are you doing hart?" Asked Matt.
"Nothing, just taking" said Joe.
"Don't, I need to sleep" said Matt, again shutting his eyes.
"Sure, you need it. To recover from that allergy" said Joe with a chuckle.
It was news to them on the match day, While people who sat on the bench speculated different things which were quickly stopped by John.
They had no proofs to point fingers at him, FA would only make the matters worse if investigated, so John has taken the liberty to make them shut up, atleast to make it easy for himself.
"You won't play pro football with that attitude Matt, it's going to cause problems" said Joe, he respected Matt's talent but hated his attitude on the bench, they had never talked once on the bench.
"Thanks for the advice Joe" said Matt half heartedly, he couldn't be bothered to open his eyes.
"We could have won of hadn't faked that allergy" said Joe with ice.
"Heh, I don't know what are you talking about. If you have problem go talk with coach" said Matt regretting his decision to sit here.
Joe realising his error backed down, "Sorry, it's Just, it would have been nice, you know if we had won that tournament" he said with a sigh.
"Hmmn" mumbled Matt not bothering to reply.
"You don't care, do you?"
"Hmn" it was shorter than last time.
"I wish I never have a teammate like you again" he said finally resting his head on the seat.
"Hmmn, like we ever played together or, you. Played. Ever."
Joe looked angry at his reply, but that was true. He didn't had a single chance to play in a game, Ben the team's main goalkeeper had not been substituted once.
The rest of the journey went by smoothly, Joe and Matt didn't talk again, much to Matt's joy.
As the plane landed, Matt quickly grabbed his bags, and went to Adam who was checking players out.
He had brought all his luggage with him, leaving nothing at the Lilleshall.
'Oh, I forgot. That Scottish guy had asked me for my shirt.. I'll send it to him one, Meh, I didn't do justice to that room number anyway' he thought waiting for his parents.
He walked outside, suddenly he saw few familiar figures standing near the gate.
"Matt!" Exclaimed Cara happily running towards him.
Seeing her Matt quickly took out his bags knowing the girl got no brakes.
She slamed into him, "We had to wait an hour for you!" She said complaining.
"I thought mom dad would come, hi grandma, grandpa, Aunty" said Matt greeting them.
"We landed here an hour ago" said Grandma making him widen his eyes.
"From where? France? Aunty and Cara was there" he said looking at Cara who didn't look at him.
"Let's go now, car is waiting" said Grandpa ignoring his question.
He looked at his aunt who also didn't said anything, he felt his hand been held and looked at his grandma, she was smiling at him.
"You Children grow so fast, I remember we used to walk like this to your favourite icecream parlour" she said making Matt confused.
"Look at him, he'll be taller than Dan" said grandpa.
He opened the back and put his luggage in the van, it was a little packed but they fit perfectly in it.
"Where are you guys coming from?" He asked his grandmother sitting beside him.
"France, we were bored. You're Aunty was there so we took a small vacation. I also asked you're mother to come but she was busy at the hospital" said Grandma.
'They were there for my matches, and I didn't play' he suddenly felt guilty, if he had known he would have not mind sitting on that bench.
"You should have told me" he said a little louder than intended, caused everyone to pause.
His grandmother patted his head affectionately making him dug his head low in shame, "Dear, you are sometimes too hard on yourself, maybe I should have spanked you when you were little" she said grabbing his ear.
"He's not too big, spank him" said Cara with a thumbs-up.
"We saw your picture in the papers, she framed it and placed it in the hall" said grandpa who was sitting in front with the driver.
"Why won't I, Im a proud grandma after all" she said with a smug smile making his heart melt.
He almost cried, but held back, but that didn't stop him from wrapping his arm around her gently making her smile widen.
"Hey look here" said Aunty with a camera in her hand.
"Where are we going?" He asked seeing the driver taking unknown turns.
"I'm going to feed you both" said Grandma making Cara and Matt's eyes widen, last time he had gain a kg in 2 weeks of staying with her, he just couldn't refuse her pies, they were just that good.
(Pov end)