Monday, June 19, 2023
The Lowry Hotel, Salford
8:00 AM
The restaurant filled with players moving through the buffet line in the quiet that came before match days, and the energy was different from yesterday's training session because today was real and tomorrow didn't exist yet, and everyone ate with the focus that came from knowing the next twelve hours would determine whether the evening ended in satisfaction or frustration.
Demien took oatmeal with berries, scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice, and water, and he found a seat at a table where Eze and Mount were already eating while the room filled with the low sound of cutlery against plates and occasional conversation that stayed professional rather than casual.
