My Career: Teddy Sheringham

Babysitting Gazza and playing pranks on the press - Teddy Sheringham remembers Euro '96.

Dismantling Holland alongside Alan Shearer, babysitting Paul Gascoigne and playing pranks on the press - Teddy Sheringham gives Sky Sports his favourite memories of Euro '96

When it is remembered Teddy Sheringham was one of four strikers, including Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and Robbie Fowler, it provides a reflection of the quality of England's squad at Euro '96. Football was supposed to come home on that sunny summer of 16 years ago. The Three Lions' participation ultimately ended in semi-final penalty heartbreak at the hands of Germany. But with England hosting the competition, balmy evenings at Wembley and Brit Pop at its peak, everybody has favourite memories. Sheringham was at the heart of it all and here he gives Sky Sports his standout recollections of Euro '96.

England 4 Holland 1

To say you played for England in a major competition, personally scored two goals and were named man of the match - combined with beating Holland in style - it does not get much better than that.

Shearer and Sheringham

Alan Shearer and Jurgen Klinsmann were the two best players I played with in my career. Playing with Alan, he had a stature about him that you just knew he was going to score goals. Going into Euro '96, Alan had not scored for a few games. But you have faith in a goalscorer.

The England squad

Without a doubt there was good atmosphere. I would not say we were all good mates, but it was a fantastic group of lads and you see how many good players there were in the squad. The type of players and the stage we were at in our careers was also important. We were all very experienced. There were a couple of youngsters, but we were at the top of our game.

Best friend

I had a lovely understanding with Darren Anderton at club level and internationally. We just seemed to click. It was one of those telepathic understandings you get in your career. He was an outstanding player and I loved playing with him. I have knocked about with him for a few years as well.

Paul Gascoigne

He was a livewire. That is what I can say. At the team hotel, we used to take it in turns to look after him, because he was full of beans for probably 20 hours of the day. We took it in turns to go and have a sleep and then maybe have a game of snooker or tennis with him - anything to keep him occupied, or he would disrupt the rest of us.

Practical jokes

Every time we were talking to the press, we had to include a title of a song. The reporter would be thinking, 'what the hell has that got to do with the question?'. But as long as you got a song title in the interview, every time you went back to the lads, they would be, 'Yeah, you got it in'.

Terry Venables

He was the best at international level. He had a way of getting his point across and making sure everyone understood. He created a nice feeling in the camp. That is to do with the staff. It does not come by accident. You have to work at creating an atmosphere. Terry created a club atmosphere.

Toughest opponent

The Spain game was very tough. They played in a style we did not expect. We did not expect it. It was a very hot day and it was tough to get through them. We were happy to get through on penalties. Miguel Angel Nadal was a formidable figure. He was not the quickest, but he read the game very well. I found it difficult against those sort of players, because that was my game. I preferred playing against defenders who were big and tough, so I could outwit them.

Favourite goal

My two goals against Holland were both nice goals. The first was a header and the second was a follow-up after a shot had been saved. I was not known for my speed, so it was good to be quick off my mark, anticipate the rebound and tuck away the chance.

Worst moment

We all thought we were going all the way when we got to the semi-finals against Germany. When Gareth had his penalty saved, we were very disappointed. All of a sudden it is, 'right, you have got to go home'. I took the penalty before Gareth. I do not really refer to football as pressure, but there was a lot on that penalty. You know you will be remembered if you miss.
Back England to win the Euros at their biggest ever odds of 16/1. Ladbrokes, game on!