Germany vs England reaction: Roy Hodgson should aim for Euro 2016 semi-finals, says Sir Geoff Hurst

Roy Hodgson's men pulled off an impressive comeback from two goals down to beat world champions Germany 3-2

Tom Allnutt
Sunday 27 March 2016 09:49 EDT
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Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane and Danny Rose celebrate after England's 3-2 win over Germany
Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane and Danny Rose celebrate after England's 3-2 win over Germany (Getty Images)

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Sir Geoff Hurst believes anything less than reaching the semi-finals would constitute disappointment for England at Euro 2016.

Roy Hodgson's men pulled off an impressive comeback from two goals down to beat world champions Germany 3-2 in a friendly in Berlin on Saturday.

Optimism is growing around the likes of Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier, and Hurst feels England should now be targeting the last four this summer.

"I think you've got to get close to the semi-final," Hurst told the BBC's Sportsweek.

"A good performance in the quarter-final and possibly a semi-final at least, I think we're absolutely looking at that in a Euro competition.

"Anything less than that would be extremely disappointing for the squad, the players and the fans, and people like myself who are huge fans of England."

Vardy staked his claim for a starting spot against Russia in the first group match on June 11 as he came off the bench to make it 2-2 with a superb flicked finish.

Hurst, who famously scored a hat-trick in the World Cup final win over West Germany in 1966, is backing the Leicester striker to make an impact.

"If I had to pick someone to be a star of the tournament I'd pick Vardy," Hurst said.

"He's a bit like the Geoff Hurst, come from nowhere, looking at his background and performing like he's performing.

"He's a very level-headed guy and I like the way he plays. I think he's very sensible, very intelligent and playing for a smaller club that would be fantastic. He deserves every chance he gets."

PA.

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