Phew, my thanks to mattrom for saving me having to judge!
So, the final score is 4-3 ... they think it’s all over, it is now. rossim@23 with 3 votes just beaten by jws@19 with 4.
Congrats, jws – a very appropriate acrostic:
Germany out! At last, the beginning of the end (4)
Congratulations, and here's your prize, which I’ve chosen as a lover of opera and rock ...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yv6jiqVmmSI
PS Sir Geoff Hurst was at a nearby venue this week, talking about his football career and answering the audience's questions. And inspiring the word to be clued.