UEFA EURO 2024: FINAL PREVIEW

24 teams started this blockbuster of a tournament in June, and now, only two of the best teams remain. Luis de la Fuente's brand-new and revolutionized Spain is set to take Gareth Southgate's young and talented England side. Both teams with a vast margin of veterans and rising stars in this team are set to conquer the stage in the Olympiadstadion in Berlin. However, only one will prevail and become the new champions of Europe. Will it be England, at long last, or Spain, once again?

Spain: Route to Berlin

Group Stage:

Croatia (Olympiadstadion, Berlin) 3-0

Italy (Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen) 1-0

Albania (Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf) 1-0

Knockout Stage:

Round of 16: Georgia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne) 4-1

Quarter-Finals: Germany (MHPArena, Stuttgart) 2-1

Semi-Finals: France (Allianz Arena, Munich) 2-1

Spain was drawn into the alleged 'Group of Death' of this tournament, by being paired with high-fliers, Croatia and reigning European champions, Italy. They have met both these sides at the previous competition, with Spain defeating Croatia in the last 16 while losing in the semi-final on penalties to Italy. The team started their tournament in the same place where they'll finish it, in the Olympiadstadion in Berlin. Croatia has been known for its incredible performances at the last two World Cups, finishing as runners-up in 2018, and 3rd place in 2022. History was also made as a young Spanish teen, Lamine Yamal became the youngest-ever appearance maker in the 64-year history of the competition, at 16 years and 338 days old. Spain was unfazed by Croatia's recent success, and produced an incredible performance, defeating Zlatko Dalic's men, 3-0. Goals for La Roja came from Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Carvajal. Yamal made even more history, becoming the youngest ever assister at the competition, by providing an assist for the latter goal. Later on, they faced Italy in Gelsenkirchen. After winning their previous game against Albania, Italy were stunned by the Spanish after they lost 1-0 courtesy of an own-goal by their defender, Riccardo Calafiori. That win was enough to take Spain to the last 16 and enough to seal the top spot in Group B after Croatia and Albania drew earlier that day. On their final matchday, the squad took a trip to Dusseldorf to face off against Albania. An early goal within the 13th minute by star man, Ferran Torres was enough to seal a slim 1-0 win. This meant that Spain was the only team to register a 100% record in the tournament, while also being the only team yet to concede a single goal. 

Into the knockout stages, Spain was due to play third-placed team and tournament debutants, Georgia in Cologne. Georgia stunned everyone in the stadium as they took the lead in the 18th minute after Robin Le Normand accidentally chested the ball into his own net, thus, conceding Spain's first goal of EURO 2024. However, this own goal wouldn't defy them, as they grabbed an equalizer 20 minutes later, thanks to Rodri who netted a fantastic goal from outside the penalty area. In the second half, Spain was a lot better, as they managed to register 3 goals, coming from Fabian Ruiz, Nico Williams, and Dani Olmo. This was enough to seal an emphatic, 4-1 victory for Luis de la Fuente and his men. In the quarter-finals, La Roja faced off against the tournament hosts, Germany. Spain and Germany have had quite a history in recent years, the last meeting in the European Championship in the 2008 final, with Spain sealing a famous, 1-0 victory. In between this time, Spain has faced Deutschland twice in the World Cup. First in 2010, when Spain won 1-0 in the semi-finals in Durban, South Africa en route to their first World Cup win, and recently in 2022, when the teams drew 1-1 in Doha, Qatar. Spain grabbed the lead in the 51st minute of the game, thanks to Dani Olmo, but Germany grabbed the equalizer, just a few minutes before time, conceding their first goal in open play. Spain managed to stun the hosts by scoring the winner in the 119th minute, with a header by Mikel Merino. Dani Carvajal would be sent off, deep into extra time, but will return for the final in Berlin. In the semi-finals, Spain took on another one of their old rivals, France. The sides last met in the 2021 Nations League final, with Les Bleus winning 2-1 in Milan. The sides also met in the 1984 final, with France also winning, by 2 goals to nil, winning their first European Championship. France took an early lead, scoring in the eighth minute thanks to a header from Randal Kolo Muani. However, Spain struck back with a beautiful curling effort by Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest-ever goalscorer at the EUROs, at 16 years and 362 days. The youngster celebrated his 17th birthday a day before the final. Spain found the lead just four minutes later when Dani Olmo netted his third goal of the tournament, by netting a skillful finish before taking a deflection off Joules Kounde. It was originally an own goal for Kounde, but they awarded to goal to  Olmo. It wouldn't matter, as Spain was through to their fifth European final, and their first since 2012, when they defeated Italy, 4-0 in Kyiv. 

England: Route to Berlin

Group Stage: 

Serbia (Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen) 1-0

Denmark (Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt) 1-1

Slovenia (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne) 0-0

Knockout Stages:

Round of 16: Slovakia (Veltins Arena, Gelsenkirchen) 2-1 (after extra time)

Quarter-Finals: Switzerland (Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf) 1-1 (5-3 on penalties)

Semi-Finals: Netherlands (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund) 2-1

England was awarded a favorable group, drawing against Serbia, Slovenia, and Denmark. The Three Lions have previously faced off against Denmark in the previous edition of the competition, defeating the Danes, 2-1 in the semi-finals. to secure a place in their first major final since 1966. Southgate's men started their tournament against Serbia, who were making their first appearance in the tournament since EURO 2000, but were previously known as Serbia and Montenegro. Meaning that this is the first time Serbia has qualified for the EURO as an independent nation. Jude Bellingham's early goal in the 13th minute was enough to seal a slim 1-0 winning start to the competition for England. Their next game came against Denmark. Harry Kane netted the opener of the game within 18 minutes. Denmark managed to equalize roughly 15 minutes later when Morten Hjulmand scored an absolute stunner that not even Jordan Pickford could save. Eventually, stunning defensive work from Denmark ensured that England would leave Frankfurt with just one point. Up next, England traveled to Cologne to face off Slovenia, who were also making their first EURO appearance since 2000. England also managed to not deliver a consistent performance, by failing to register themselves on the scoresheet, resulting in a 0-0 draw. However, despite only finishing with 5 points, England managed to qualify for the last 16 as group runners-up.

In the knockout phases, England's first hurdle came against Slovakia, who were playing their first knockout game at a major competition since 2016. Much like their other games, England stunned everyone when Slovakia took the lead after their counterattack resulted in a conceded goal for England. The clock ticked and England still couldn't find an equalizer, at least until the 95th minute. Just when it looked as though Slovakia would grab their most famous victory, Jude Bellingham scored an amazing bicycle kick, bringing the game to extra time. Within the first minute of extra time, Harry Kane netted a close-range header, turning things around for England. The Three Lions managed to hold on for a bit more and progressed to the quarter-finals. In the last 8, England faced off Switzerland, who previously defeated Italy, the team England lost to in the EURO 2020 final. Breel Embolo looked as though he would take Switzerland to their first semi-final in their history, after netting a close-range finish in the 75th minute. However, Bukayo Saka had other plans, as he netted a stunning strike from far out, equalizing the game for England with 10 minutes left. Neither team could be separated for the next 30 minutes of extra time, meaning the game had to go to penalties. England managed to score all five penalties, with Pickford stopping the first penalty from Switzerland. This meant England had eliminated Switzerland, and were through to the semi-finals. There, they faced off against the Netherlands in Dortmund, who were doing well since they barely scrapped past the group stage. The Dutch took an early lead courtesy of a thunder strike by Xavi Simons. However, England didn't quit and scored a penalty in the 18th minute, bringing Harry Kane's EURO 2024 scoring tally to 3 goals. As time passed by, England was in desperate need of a winner, hoping not to play in extra time for the third consecutive time. Thankfully, they managed to find their winner right on the 90th-minute dot, with Ollie Watkins scoring a very quick shot, which flew into the bottom corner, defeating Vergrubben and the Netherlands. England is now through to their second consecutive EURO final, their second overall, and their first major final outside of the United Kingdom. 

Everything is set for this classic encounter in Berlin. With each passing hour, the hype increases oh, so slightly. Fans in red, white, and yellow will crowd around the Olympiadstadion as we witness the grand finale of EURO 2024. It has been a tournament to remember, from Florian Wirtz's opening goal against Scotland to the final match here in Berlin. The question remains. Will it be England, at long last, or Spain, once again? The Champions Blog will return soon as the tournament reaches its exciting conclusion.