Spain has made history by winning their fourth European Championship title, defeating England 2-1 in a thrilling final held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. This victory cements Spain's position as one of the most successful teams in the history of the tournament, having previously won in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
Spain's journey to the final was nothing short of spectacular. They defeated the pre-tournament favorites, France, with a score of 2-1 in the semifinals. On the other hand, England secured their spot in the final by overcoming the Netherlands with the same scoreline. Both teams showed remarkable skill and determination to reach this stage.
The final match was a nail-biter from start to finish. Nico Williams opened the scoring for Spain early in the second half, thanks to a brilliant pass from Lamine Yamal. England quickly responded with an equalizer from Cole Palmer, who fired a left-footed shot from outside the box. The game seemed destined for extra time until Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winning goal for Spain with less than five minutes remaining, assisted by Marc Cucurella.
Despite the excitement surrounding the final, there was no third-place game at Euro 2024. UEFA discontinued third-place matches after 1984, although they experimented with them from 1960 to 1980. This means that France and the Netherlands, who lost in the semifinals, did not get a chance to compete for the bronze medal.
Spain's victory in Euro 2024 adds another chapter to their illustrious history in European football. They are now the only team to have won the European Championship four times, edging out Germany, who have three titles. This win also marks Spain's third European Championship victory since 2008, showcasing their consistent excellence over the years.
Several players stood out during the tournament. Rodri was named Player of the Tournament, a testament to his exceptional performances throughout the competition. Lamine Yamal was named Young Player of the Tournament, becoming the youngest player ever to feature in a Euro or World Cup final at just seventeen years old. Yamal provided four assists and scored one goal during the tournament, making a significant impact for Spain.
Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, expressed immense pride in his team's achievement. He praised the players' hard work and growth potential, emphasizing that this victory is just the beginning for this group of players. De la Fuente also highlighted the team's ability to adapt to modern football demands, combining possession dominance with a more direct style of play.
For England, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. This marks the second consecutive European Championship where they have fallen short, having lost to Italy on penalties at Euro 2020. Despite the disappointment, England's players showed great resilience and skill throughout the tournament. Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were among the standout performers for the team.
The victory sparked celebrations across Spain, with fans watching the match on big screens and taking to the streets to celebrate. The team will remain in Berlin until Monday before returning to Madrid for an open-top bus tour ending at Cibeles Palace. Spain's coach hopes that employers will be understanding if people are late for work due to the celebrations, emphasizing the cultural significance of such achievements in Spain.
Spain's victory also means they will represent Europe in the Finalissima 2025, a tournament that pits the winners of the Euro and Copa America against each other. Spain will face Argentina, who won the Copa America by defeating Colombia 1-0 in extra time. The exact date and venue for the Finalissima 2025 have not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to take place between June and July.
The Euro 2024 finals are set to be a thrilling event, with both the European Championship and Copa América finals taking place on Sunday, July 14. In the European Championship final, Spain will face England in Berlin, while Argentina and Colombia will compete in the Copa América final in Miami. This article provides a detailed preview of these highly anticipated matches.
Spain has been the standout team throughout the tournament, winning all six of their matches. They have faced tougher opponents compared to England, including Croatia, Italy, Germany, and France. Key players like Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal have performed exceptionally well, contributing significantly to Spain's success. The midfield pairing of Rodri and Fabián Ruiz is more assured than England’s rotating midfielders, providing a solid foundation for the team.
Despite their strengths, Spain has a tendency to discontinue their attack after taking leads, which can be dangerous. Their strategy of defending deep without the ball isn't optimal for killing off games. This approach allowed Germany to equalize late in their quarterfinal match, highlighting a potential vulnerability in their game plan.
Gareth Southgate has managed to create a resilient team that performs well under pressure. Despite criticisms, Southgate's man management and tactical decisions have kept England competitive at major tournaments. Substitutions have been crucial for England’s success in knockout matches, with players like Ollie Watkins making significant impacts off the bench.
Spain is superior in pressing and out-of-possession structure. England struggled against high pressing teams like the Netherlands during the tournament. Tactical shortcomings from Southgate may hinder them against an elite side like Spain, making it a challenging match for the English team.
Emiliano Martínez’s prowess in penalty shootouts gives Argentina a significant advantage if the match goes to penalties. His exceptional goalkeeping skills have been a key factor in Argentina's journey to the final, providing a reliable last line of defense.
Lionel Messi hasn’t been at his best during this tournament due to limited opportunities against top players and a nagging groin injury. This has affected his performance, and Argentina will need other players to step up if they are to secure victory.
James Rodríguez has been instrumental for Colombia with his exceptional playmaking abilities, scoring one goal and assisting six others during the tournament. His creativity and vision on the field have been crucial for Colombia's success, making him a key player to watch in the final.
Fatigue could be a major issue as they expended immense energy defeating Uruguay while down a man for much of the second half. This could impact their performance in the final, especially against a strong team like Argentina.
UEFA has clarified the Golden Boot rule for Euro 2024. If the final between England and Spain does not produce a clear winner, the Golden Boot will be shared among six players. This decision comes three years after Cristiano Ronaldo won the award at Euro 2020 despite being level on five goals with Czechia's Patrik Schick. The six players currently tied on three goals are Harry Kane (England), Dani Olmo (Spain), Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Jamal Musiala (Germany), and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia). If no player scores a fourth goal, the top scorer prize will be shared among those tied on three goals.
Declan Rice recalls the pain of England's loss in the Euro 2020 final (held in 2021) against Italy. He mentions that seeing Italy lift the trophy will haunt him forever. England has a history of near-misses and disappointments in major tournaments, with their last major victory being the World Cup in 1966. Gareth Southgate, England's head coach, also experienced personal disappointment as a player when he missed a crucial penalty in the Euro 1996 semi-final against Germany.
The theme of redemption is central to England's current campaign. Despite criticism for their performance, England has advanced to the finals after three straight knockout round victories. Key players like Harry Kane emphasize the physical and mental strength shown by the team and express determination to win the final. Southgate acknowledges learning from past experiences and aims to apply those lessons to improve performance in the upcoming final.
The Euro 2024 final between Spain and England will take place on Sunday, July 14 at Olympiastadion in Berlin. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM ET. The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the USA. Fans can expect a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for the prestigious European Championship title.
Euro 2024 has boosted businesses like hotels and restaurants across Germany's host cities. The sex industry also saw increased activity with an estimated arrival of nearly 14,000 additional sex workers for the tournament. Prostitution is legal in Germany since 2002; brothel keeping requires registration/licensing but HIV/STI testing is not mandatory. Over 100,000 sex workers operated during Euro 2024. Many sex workers came from Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Poland due to poverty. Janne Valentin notes the ease of finding clients in central Berlin during events like Euro tournaments.
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