Oldham dad who got ‘England Euro 2020 winners’ tattoo three days before Sunday’s defeat speaks out

The Oldham dad who gained viral fame for getting an ‘England Euro 2020 winners’ tattoo before England were beaten by Italy has spoken out about the historic loss.

As you will all be well aware by now, England lost out on winning their first major tournament since 1966 on Sunday night, when Italy beat them 3-2 in a penalty shootout.

It was a disappointing moment for the whole nation – but even more so for Lewis Holden, who had been so confident in the Three Lions bringing it home that he’d committed to an England Euro 2020 winners tattoo. Yes, a real one.

Lewis Holden

Lewis, twenty-six, is about as passionate a football fan as you can get, and he decided to show off that passion by inking England’s non-existent win on his right leg three days before the final.

And despite their loss, the ink is here to stay.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Lewis said: “I’m absolutely gutted, but then who isn’t? But I’m keeping the tattoo – there’s no way I’m getting rid of it.

“I did it for a bit a laugh with my mates. You see so many people being negative all the time on social media, so I just wanted to do something with a bit of positivity. The amount of attention it got and the buzz it created was unreal.

@lewisholdenn / Twitter

Yet despite the mild humiliation, Lewis has no regrets, and insists that he will even be getting a matching tattoo on his left leg for the 2022 World Cup if England make it to the final again.

He explained: “This is the best England team I’ve seen in my lifetime and I might never see them in a final again. But if we do get to the final next year, I’ll be down the tattoo parlour again.”

England lost 2-3 to Italy in a penalty shootout after drawing 1-1 in the Euros 2020 final on Sunday night.