The last match at the European Championship in Germany is a duel of opposites. Both England and Spain have arguments for the final on Sunday evening in Berlin.
14.07.2024, 04:00
14.07.2024, 09:38
SDA
Spain and England have shown in recent weeks just how differently teams can play their way through a tournament. On the one hand, the almost flawless Spaniards, who played their way to six victories with admirable aplomb and eye-catching football. On the other hand, the often ponderous English, who were almost never a sight to behold and, as a team, looked weaker than the sum of their highly-rated individual players.
And yet it would be too easy to portray England as crass underdogs in their second consecutive European Championship final. Gareth Southgate's players showed themselves to be survivors, scoring twice very late in the knockout round, in the round of 16 against Slovakia to reach extra time, and in the semi-final against the Netherlands to win 2:1. In between, they won the penalty shoot-out against Switzerland.
England are ready for any challenge, no matter how nerve-wracking, after being criticized almost daily for their disappointing performances. Former England internationals who have become experts outdid themselves when it came to describing the "Three Lions'" poor performances with striking words. At their team camp in the small Thuringian town of Blankenhain, the England players were able to cultivate the popular "us against the rest".
58 years of waiting
The journey from the bottom to the top is not unusual at major football tournaments. Argentina suffered a shock defeat against Saudi Arabia at the last World Cup before being crowned world champions a few weeks later. At the 2016 European Championships in France, Portugal won only one of seven games in 90 minutes - in the semi-final against Wales - and still became European champions for the only time that year.
England would be far from the first European champions not to have played masterfully throughout. In view of the performances of recent years, however, the great triumph would not have been stolen. England, who have been waiting 58 years for their second major title under Southgate, have reached two finals and a semi-final at the last four major tournaments.
"We're playing the best team in the tournament and have one day less to prepare. But we're still here and we're still fighting," said Southgate before leaving Blankenhain on Saturday. The England team will travel home from Berlin with either their first European Championship title in the bag or another disappointment in English footballing memory.
"A feeling of hope"
Spain had plenty of reasons to celebrate thanks to the way they celebrated football and the birthdays of Nico Williams last Friday and Lamine Yamal on Saturday. Yamal, who has finally become a star at this tournament, has only one wish: "Win, win, win." It would be an impressive comeback for Spain, whose national team has not written the big stories for a good ten years.
Lamine Yamal and Spain made an impressive march to the final
Image: Keystone
Together with Nico Williams, Yamal formed the successful Spanish wing-back line
Image: Keystone
Gareth Southgate has not always been popular in England in recent weeks, but is now just one win away from England's greatest football triumph since 1966
Image: Keystone
Jude Bellingham and Co. specialized in pulling their heads out of the noose
Image: Keystone
In Spain, there were already big celebrations after the semi-final against France
Image: Keystone
Lamine Yamal and Spain made an impressive march to the final
Image: Keystone
Together with Nico Williams, Yamal formed the successful Spanish wing-back line
Image: Keystone
Gareth Southgate has not always been popular in England in recent weeks, but is now just one win away from England's greatest football triumph since 1966
Image: Keystone
Jude Bellingham and Co. specialized in pulling their heads out of the noose
Image: Keystone
In Spain, there were already big celebrations after the semi-final against France
Image: Keystone
The short dry spell after their overwhelming dominance between 2008 and 2012 may have sparked the great joy over the current team. The development from the out-of-fashion tiki-taka to combination football garnished with dribbling and steep passes is being followed with enthusiasm at home. Following his promotion from the U21 to the senior national team, national coach Luis de la Fuente has brought a dose of serenity to the team that has made success possible.
"I'm very proud that the whole nation in Spain is celebrating us. We create this feeling of hope. People are dreaming and rejoicing," said de la Fuente about what has already been achieved. Should victory be achieved on Sunday evening in Berlin, Spain would become the record winner with four titles. There is not much to be said against a final triumph in view of the aplomb with which Rodri's team, which started the tournament as outsiders, has overcome every difficulty so far.
The possible line-ups:
Spain - England
Berlin. - Sunday, 21.00 hrs. - Referee Letexier (FRA).
Spain: 23 Simon; 2 Carvajal, 3 Le Normand, 14 Laporte, 24 Cucurella; 16 Rodri; 10 Olmo, 8 Ruiz; 19 Yamal, 7 Morata, 17 Williams.
England: 1 Pickford; 2 Walker, 5 Stones, 6 Guéhi; 7 Saka, 26 Mainoo, 4 Rice, 3 Shaw; 10 Bellingham, 11 Foden; 9 Kane.
Comments: Spain without Pedri (injured). England complete.
