Séamas O'Reilly: Cautious optimism in London... for the Euro-finalist Lions

"...as with England’s footballing successes, I find myself moved to describe to those back home, both the sheer scale of Labour’s electoral achievement this week, and the oddly pensive chill with which it’s been received..."

England's Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024, semi-final match at the BVB Stadion Dortmund in Dortmund, Germany. Picture date: Wednesday July 10, 2024.

After the events of the past week, the mood in London is grateful, if not quite jubilant. An arduous campaign has left its victors undeniably well placed, albeit buffered by complaints about their aptitude to do anything with said victory. 

There is a sincere delight that the past few weeks are over and done with, but only a guarded, cautious optimism about what comes next.