UEFA European Championship
Euro 2024 Final preview: Can England bring it home?
Germany has hosted 24 teams and 50 games so far, with one game and two teams left. Spain face England on Sunday at the Olympiastadion in Berlin for the Euro 2024 final, with Spain favoured for the tie at 8/11 and England an 11/10 shot.
We break down some things to look for in Sunday’s showdown.
Bet on the Euro 2024 final here with William Hill
Players to look out for
Current 7/4 favourite for Player of the Tournament Lamine Yamal has burst onto the scene this tournament but has been playing as if he’s been at the top level for years. Leading the assists table with three, Yamal has been a serious threat off the right for Spain, he’s 9/2 to make an assist in the final. Whether it’s Kieran Trippier or Luke Shaw starting on the left side of the English defence on Sunday, they will be guaranteed to have their work cut out in keeping Yamal quiet.
Rodri is widely considered as the best defensive midfielder in the world, and his performance in Euro 2024 has only strengthened his claims. Currently 4/1 second favourite for Player of the Tournament, the Manchester City man has been at the heart of the Spain midfield and has been exceptional throughout.
With Lamine Yamal the current 1/8 favourite for the Young Player of the Tournament, the price of 4/1 for Rodri for POTT appeals as Yamal may not win both awards and if Spain are to win on Sunday, Rodri will be tasked with dealing with England’s biggest threats in the midfield.
Harry Kane is the current 9/4 favourite for Top Goalscorer, joint leading with three goals. Despite not having his best tournament and widely facing criticism, the fact that he is still joint top goalscorer shows the level he’s at. The 2/1 for a goal anytime rates a good chance, the Englishman is clinical and will likely only need one chance to punish Spain.
The verdict
As mentioned, Spain are favoured for the tie at 8/11 with England at 11/10. Pre-tournament, England were 3/1 outright favourites with Spain down the list at 15/2, but you cannot argue with the preference for the Spanish based on what we have seen in the tournament.
The top scoring team so far with 13 goals, they have been a joy to watch. A mix of young talent and experienced heads across the squad has provided exciting, dynamic football with the experience to see a game out, as we saw in their quarter final tie against France. The aforementioned Yamal has been a revelation, but it won’t get much easier for England on the other side of the pitch with Nico Williams another tricky customer, a different type of player to Yamal.
England have now reached back-to-back Euro finals, but it hasn’t been plain sailing. Minutes away from going out in both the Round of 16, Jude Bellingham produced a spectacular overhead kick to take them to extra time, they came through a tough QF tie against Switzerland on penalties, but it was Ollie Watkins’ 90th minute winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final which will have England fans believing that this might finally be their year.
In Spain, the Three Lions face their toughest assignment yet. They will have to continue the proficiency they have shown so far defensively against the likes of Yamal and Williams, whilst threatening them offensively with their stars in Bellingham, Foden and Saka who will be desperate to end the 58 year wait for international glory. If they can handle the threat of Spain and create chances as they did against the Dutch, England have a great chance at finally bringing it home.
