This Sunday afternoon, Spain and England will make the big decision Euro 2024. The ball starts rolling at 4 pm (Brasília time) at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Germany. But after all, what is at stake for the two teams in the competition’s grand final?
Spain seeks fourth title to become biggest Euro winner
Spain has a difficult task on its hands, but if it completes it, it could achieve a great feat in European football. In this Sunday’s final, the new Spanish generation will go in search of a fourth Euro title to become the team with the most trophies in the history of the tournament.
Of the 16 editions of the European Championship, the Spanish have emerged champions three times. The first of these took place in 1964. At the time, the Soviet Union still existed and played the final against Spain, who ended up winning 2-1.
The Spanish national team’s last two European titles came consecutively during the Vicente Del Bosque era. In 2008, the team beat Germany 1-0 in the grand final, while in 2012, they beat Italy 4-0 in the final to win their third European Championship.
🗣️ Luis de la Fuente, national coach, analyses the match for the title:
➡️ “It’s going to be a great show that we’re looking forward to with great enthusiasm.”
➡️ “We will try to impose our style against England, dominate the game and not make mistakes.”#VamosEspaña | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/RJklktB5xe
— Spanish Men’s Football Team (@SEFutbol) July 10, 2024
Thus, Spain, with its three titles, is looking to become the biggest winner of the European competition. Germany also has three wins, while France and Italy come next, with two trophies each.
Winning the European Championship could also represent the beginning of a successful era under Luis de la Fuente. This could be the second title for the coach, who already won the Nations League with Spain last year. After having accumulated failures under previous managers, the Spanish may have found a good option.
Finally, a Spanish title in this European Championship could still put midfielder Rodri as one of the candidates for the Ballon d’Or, the magazine’s traditional award. France Football which awards the best player of the season. Likewise, Lamine Yamal would have a better chance of winning the Golden Boy award, from the Italian newspaper All sports.
England wants to banish the ghost of 2021 and host the Euro for the first time
On one side is one of the most successful teams in the Euros, on the other is a team that is looking for its first title in the tournament. England has fought many times, but has not yet managed to lift its first Euro trophy.
To do so, however, they will have to overcome a ‘ghost’ that still haunts a large part of the English. The Lions also reached the final in the last edition of the Euro, but let the victory slip away in the big decision against Italy.
On that occasion, after a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes, Donnarumma shone in the penalty shootout and England finished second in front of a packed Wembley. Now, the new England players will have the mission of trying to put this ‘trauma’ behind them and lead their country to its first Euro title.
England’s title could also be the first of the Southgate era. The manager has come close to winning many competitions since taking charge at the end of 2016. In 2018, he reached the World Cup semi-finals and, a year later, the Nations League semi-finals. In 2021, he finished runners-up at the Euros, while the following year he led the team to the World Cup quarter-finals.
ONE MORE. 😤 pic.twitter.com/Zp0dGR4L6x
— England (@England) July 11, 2024
Looking at it from an individual perspective, an English victory could also affect the Ballon d’Or race. Jude Bellingham, despite his performance below par in this final stretch of the season, could emerge as the main favorite, overtaking Brazilian Vinícius Júnior, who was decisive in Real Madrid’s 15th Champions League title but left much to be desired in the Copa América.
Finally, someone who would also benefit would be Harry Kane. The England captain has had some good performances for club and country, but at 30 years old, he has yet to win a single title. Crowning his career with a first achievement of such magnitude would definitely be special.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
