The highly anticipated final of the European Championship will see Spain and England face off in Berlin on Sunday. Both teams were favorites coming into the tournament and have shown their strengths in different ways. Spain, led by young talents like Lamine Jamal and Neco Williams, has been the standout team, winning all their matches, including against heavyweights like Germany and France. England, on the other hand, has had a more challenging path, needing last-minute goals and penalty shootouts to advance.
Lothar Matthäus, a record national player, has expressed his preference for Spain, citing their consistent and outstanding performances throughout the tournament. He believes Spain deserves to win every game and sees them as the favorites against England. Matthäus has criticized key English players like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, suggesting they are not in the form needed to secure such a significant title.
England, however, has shown resilience and a strong team spirit, especially after facing harsh criticism early in the tournament. They are motivated to win their first major title since 1966, particularly in Germany, which adds an extra layer of excitement to the final. The English squad boasts top talents like Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, who have been instrumental in their journey to the final.
The final will also be a clash of styles, with Spain's brilliant and cohesive play against England's physical and determined approach. Spain's national coach, Luis de la Fuente, has a well-rehearsed team that works seamlessly together, while England's Gareth Southgate has a technically strong squad that includes players like Declan Rice and John Stones.
Financially, the match is significant, with the combined market value of the players from both teams nearing 2.5 billion euros. England's squad alone is valued at 1,494 million euros, with high-value players like Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. Spain's squad, valued at 1,002.50 million euros, includes rising stars like Lamine Yamal.
The final will be officiated by French referee François Letexier, who has previously refereed a Spanish match in the tournament. The match is set to be an intense and thrilling encounter as both teams aim to end long periods without major titles. Spain seeks to become the sole record European champions, while England hopes to secure their first European Championship.
