THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION #7

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION (THE EURO BLOG)

Another European Championship has come and gone just like that. Over the past month in Germany, fans all over Europe and the world we treated to some stunning goals, late drama, some surprising runs, and finishes, with another classic final being written in Berlin as the pinnacle of the tournament. For the final time this season, this is the Champions Blog. 

After 53 teams started the qualifying stages in June of last year, 24 qualified for the finals in Germany. Since the finals started in mid-June, we were treated to some of the most entertaining matches in European Championship history. All the way from Germany's emphatic victory over the Scots on opening day to the final here in the famous Olympiadstadion, here in Berlin. Spain is looking to become the record champions of the competition and can surpass Germany if they were to win her in Berlin. Spain and Germany are currently tied with 3 European Championship wins each. Meanwhile, England look to end their 58-year trophy drought here in Berlin, as they managed to qualify for their first-ever major final outside of the UK. Spain have made only two changes to their starting eleven that defeated France in Munich, with Robin Le Normand and Dani Carvajal returning to the team after they picked up suspensions in their quarter-final encounter with Germany. They replace Nacho and Jesus Navas as the center-backs and right-backs for the final. England have changed tactics after their last game against the Netherlands in Dortmund. Southgate has changed from a 3-4-2-1 to a 4-2-3-1 formation. Only one change was made with Keiran Trippier making way for Luke Shaw. Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo remain in their defensive midfield positions, while Bukayo Saka moves into attacking positions with Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden. 

Picture Above: Spain and England players standing for the national anthems before kicking off the final in Berlin. 

After a beautiful closing ceremony, conducted by American band, OneRepublic, Italian DJ group, Meduza, and German singer, Leony, the trophy was brought out. One half is embedded in red and yellow and the other in red and white. The game started off very calm and composed from both sides. Both the teams played with composure and possession, however, the half lacked several promising chances for either team, helping them take the crucial lead. The best chance of the first half came right at the end when Declan Rice swung in a free-kick. The ball sailed over the players in red and white before arriving on the feet of Phil Foden. The Man City man took a first-time half-volley, but his shot lacked power and Simon managed to easily save it. That concluded what was an unentertaining yet careful 45 minutes. Meaning all was to play for in the second half. However, Spain received a major blow, with their star man, Rodri suffering an injury in the first half, forcing him to come off. Real Sociedad midfielder, Martin Zubimendi took his place as the defensive midfielder. This wouldn't seem to bother La Roja all that much because right into the second half, Spain took the first blow in the final within the first two minutes of the half, with Spain's two young stars, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams combining once again, with Yamal setting up Williams, catching England dead on their tracks. It was a beautifully worked goal, with a composed first-time finish being the prime difference. This goal made Nico Williams the second-youngest goalscorer at a European Championship final, at 22 years and 2 days. Only the late Pietro Anastasi scored in the final at an earlier age, at 20 years and 64 days, scoring for Italy in the 1968 final against Yugoslavia. Since William's early second-half strike, Spain has been pressing even more against the Three Lions, constantly posing as an attacking threat. Their best chance came when Lamine Yamall's shot was saved by Pickford, keeping England still in the tournament. In the 70th minute, Gareth Southgate made a fateful decision to bring off Kobbie Mainoo and bring on Cole Palmer. That substitution did wonders for Soutgate's men, because only three minutes into his game, Palmer managed to equalize things for England. It was a great goal from the Chelsea midfielder, which was brought by a brilliant counterattack from England. Bellingham passed back to Palmer and the youngster finished the chance off brilliantly, passing the ball past Unai Simon. This goal was England's second in a European Championship final, with Luke Shaw scoring in the final in 2021. Suddenly, it was game on in Berlin. With time running out, and only four minutes remaining in the match, both teams were in desperate need of a goal. It looked like we would be heading to extra time, but Mikel Oyarzabal had different plans. In the 87th minute, Marc Cucurella had the ball far from the penalty area. He crossed the ball into the penalty area, and Oyazarbal poked the ball past Pickford, scoring his first goal of the EUROs, and Spain's winner in the final. La Roja were able to hold onto their lead for a little while more and were crowned the new European champions. 

Picture Above: Spain players celebrating their final win with the Henri Delaunay trophy in Alvaro Morata's hands. 

There you have it. Another European Championship has come and gone just like that. The record winners are back on their perch, after winning a record fourth Euros, a feat which no team has ever achieved before. It's another final heartbreak for the Three Lions, as their trophy draught carries on, with Harry Kane still without a major trophy. In fact, England is now the only team to lose back-to-back EURO finals. Spain's players have shone throughout the tournament, with Rodri winning player of the tournament and Lamine Yamal winning young player of the tournament. Luis de la Fuente continues his impressive reign as Spain coach, after previously winning the Nations League last year. What a month of football it's been. Unfortunately, it's the end. The end of another fantastic tournament. The Champions Blog will return in September for the start of the brand new Champions League campaign. Good bye for now.