This Sunday, July 14, 2024, all eyes in the footballing world will turn towards the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, as Spain and England take the field for the highly anticipated Euro 2024 final.
The big curtain closer for this year’s edition of the greatest continental competition on earth is set to be a historic event, as it is the culmination of years of hard work and a month of competitive football of the highest quality.
Spain will go in searching to make history, as a win would signify their fourth Euro championship win, something that has never been done before.
For England, a win on Sunday would be a first of its kind for the nation, as they have never won the coveted European championship before.
The Spanish team goes in strong, as this final is seen as a result of a very successful rebuilding era.
A victory this weekend would mark a return to European dominance for the Spaniards, something they enjoyed greatly in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
On the other hand, the English are after redemption.
After losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties to Italy, the game on Sunday offers England a chance at redemption. It’s a chance to right the wrongs of the past and to claim a glory that for so many years has eluded them.
Both Spain and England boast powerful lineups with exceptional players.
Spain is expected to head into the final with a 4-2-3-1 formation, a play style of choice of coach Luis de la Fuente.
In goal for the one-time world champions, it’s expected to be Unai Simón, while the defense will likely be made up of Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, and Real Madrid veteran Daniel Carvajal.
The Spanish midfield will likely be made up of Rodri and Fabián Ruiz as CDMs, with Dani Olmo in front of them and Nico Williams and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal on either side of him.
Up top for Spain, you’ll likely find Álvaro Morata as the sole striker.
The English national team, led by coach Gareth Southgate, is expected to run a 3-4-2-1 formation with two wingbacks who will both attack a lot and defend a lot.
This dynamic formation used by England has come under a lot of scrutiny from both fans and pundits since it kind of ends up putting Saka as a right-back at times and Luke Shaw as a winger, positions in which no reasonable person would put either player.
But hey, it’s got them this far.
Beyond the technical criticisms, the very formidable English side is expected to go in with Jordan Pickford in goal and John Stones, Marc Guéhi, and Kyle Walker in front of him.
The middle of the park will likely have Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, and Saka and Luke Shaw as the wingbacks.
In front of the four midfielders, Southgate’s probable choice will be Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, with the deadly Harry Kane in front of them.
The strategic battle between Luis de la Fuente and Gareth Southgate promises to be a fascinating contest, greatly heightened by the immense ability of the players on each coach’s squad.
The level of technical quality to be displayed on Sunday is sure to be so large that anyone watching can expect one of the greatest games of the year.
The game will be filled with generational talents; players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and even the young Yamal are sure to orchestrate individual moments of magic, and they all have the capability of winning the game for their side.
However, a final is a final, and it’s impossible to say who will be the hero.
Although those three names are good guesses for who the hero will be, don’t be surprised if the game is decided by the margins and an unlikely hero shows up to win it all.
Players like Phil Foden, Saka, Rodri, and even Cucurella are all players who I wouldn’t be surprised if they stole the scene and decided the game.
It also can’t be ignored that there is a big possibility that Sunday’s game could even potentially go to extra time and maybe even a penalty shootout.
Independent of what happens and how the final plays out, the only thing we can be sure of is that this Sunday, July 14, we are in for a grand spectacle that will encapsulate the best of what European soccer has to offer.
And the world watches, both teams will battle it out in what is sure to be a historical showdown at the Olympiastadion.
One team will be on the search to regain their long-lost throne.
The other will have an opportunity to finally put their name in the continent’s history and redeem themselves for all their past shortcomings.
Who will win? Who will make history and attain the highest level of continental success attainable?
Tune in on Sunday and find out.
