It has been a scintillating month of football at the 2024 European Championship. Now we are down to the Euro 2024 final, a big clash between Spain and England for the continent’s top honour. History will be made as either Spain will become the first nation to win it four times, or Gareth Southgate’s men in white will win their first title.
When and where is the Euro 2024 final?
Strap yourself in for a big night of football when the Euro 2024 final kicks off at the Olympiastadion Berlin on Sunday 14th July. The kick-off time is 20:00 IST (21:00 CET) and at that point the markets shift over to live Euro 2024 odds.
Euro 2024 odds – who are the favourites?
La Roja were pre-tournament fourth-favourites behind England, Germany and France in Euro 2024 winner odds. They have already knocked two of those sides out of the tournament, but will they deliver the final blow to England on Sunday in Berlin?
Spain are pre-match favourites, opening the Euro 2024 final betting market at a 2.41 quote, with their opponents at 3.55.
This is a different situation for England from the Euro 2020 final where they were firm favourites against Italy, but ended up throwing the game away by being negative, eventually losing in a penalty shoot-out.
Spain’s route to the final
Spain landed a tricky Euro 2024 group stage draw against reigning champions Italy, Croatia and Albania. However, they hit the ground running with a dominant 3-0 win over Croatia before also seeing off Italy and Albania with clean-sheet victories.
Spain then faced debutants Georgia in the round of 16, a surprise name in the hat at that stage. Spain cruised to a 4-1 win over the plucky underdogs, but the draw was about to get much tougher. The first major knockout challenge for Spain was facing host nation Germany in the quarter-finals, with Mikel Merino scoring in the last minute of extra time to take Spain through to the semis.
In the final four, Spain had another huge challenge on their hands against France and fell behind within 10 minutes of kick-off. However, this gave them plenty of time to work their way back into the game and within about 15 minutes of conceding, Spain were ahead thanks to a world-class goal from Lamine Yamal and a winner from Dani Olmo.
England made it, despite the Irish rooting strongly for The Netherlands.
Our Voxpops team have been out and about asking people in every county whether they would like to see the English raising the trophy on Sunday – only Carlow, Fermanagh, Derry and Antrim poll in favour of football “coming home” with 70% of the country overall rooting for Spain.
But here we are – so this was England’s route to the final
England’s group stage draw against Denmark, Slovenia and Serbia should have been easy for them, but they were their own worst enemy with a lack of energy, pace, tactics and any kind of attacking threat.
They beat Serbia 1-0, but then could only manage bore draws against Denmark and Slovenia, which had the crowds turning against their own team. The turgid, disjointed displays continued into the knockouts, where England were just 90 seconds from losing to Slovakia in the round of 16 before Jude Bellingham saved them.
Switzerland in the quarter-final proved to be another tough grind as the Swiss took the lead with 15 minutes to go. Bukayo Saka was England’s saviour with an equaliser before the two sides had to endure extra time and a penalty shoot-out, which you-know-who won 5-3.
It was England vs Netherlands in the semi-finals, and again the men in white found themselves on the back foot having conceded first. England looked to be heading to another period of extra time, before substitute Ollie Watkins popped up with a 90th-minute winner out of nowhere.
Previous head-to-head
There is European Championship history between Spain and England with four previous meetings, with Spain having drawn one and lost three of those. Only three of the last 11 meetings between the two nations (competitive and friendly) have seen both teams score in the match.
However, those three were the most recent fixtures in which they traded Nations League away wins and a draw. England have only won two of their last eight against Spain, losing four of the other six. Spain have scored at least two goals in each of their last four and in five of their last six against England.
Spain’s form and best players
16-year-old Lamine Yamal has been the star of Euro 2024. He has set a host of new records, including being the youngest player to appear, to have an assist, to play in the knockouts, and to score in the European Championship.
In the semi-finals, he curled a stunning long-range shot into the back of the net against France for one of the goals of the tournament. It has been a stunning rise to the top for the Barcelona youngster, who will celebrate his 17th birthday the day before the final.
Yamal and Nico Williams have shone for Spain, providing great youthful attacking quality. Spain are so much more than their famed tika-taka style – they are tactically flexible when it comes to formation changes during matches.
They can break the defensive line of opponents thanks to the vision and creativity they have in their ranks or get out wide. La Roja also press quickly, stopping attacks from developing. It has been a hugely impressive and cohesive team effort.
England’s form and best players
England were pre-tournament favourites, but their formation, team selection and balance have made them look like long-priced outsiders. Star players such as Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden have not lived up to expectations at Euro 2024.
Gareth Southgate included left-back Luke Shaw in his squad despite him being injured, and he did not pick another left-footed defender, which has bogged them down badly. They have also had a penchant for dropping deep in matches, which has created chasms of space between the midfield and their attacking outlets. By and large, England have mostly nullified themselves, struggling to get shots on target.
It has been flashes of individual brilliance that have seen those white shirts survive against average opposition compared to levels that Spain have been up against.
Southgate has had the magic touch when it comes to substitutions at Euro 2024, but arguably their best player so far has been young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has impressed with control and direct play since becoming a starter.
England have shown tremendous resilience, which has managed to paper over glaring deficiencies. They have played their best football mostly after falling behind in matches, which, worryingly for them, has been in every round of the knockout stages.
European Championship finals stats
Trends are a great help for Euro 2024 betting, and looking back at the most recent editions of the European Championship finals, four of the last five have ended with under 2.5 goals, with both teams scoring in just one.
The pressure and intensity of the match can typically lead to teams not taking risks. The last two editions, where 24 participating nations featured, both saw the final need at least extra time.
Only three of the last seven European Championship finals have been settled within 90 minutes. Interestingly, on two of those three occasions, Spain lifted the title with clean-sheet wins over Germany and Italy in 2008 and 2012 respectively.
Spain have won three of their previous four appearances in the final of the European Championship, and are the only team to have won it back to back. For England, this is just their second appearance in the final after their penalty shoot-out horrors at Euro 2020 against Italy.
What to expect in the Euro 2024 final
Spain are expected to be on the front foot for most of the Euro 2024 final. It’s a colossal occasion for both nations, so it’s likely to be a cagey affair, and a draw at half-time wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
Interestingly, the last three Spain vs England meetings have all gone over 2.5 goals. However, major finals are high stakes and players are typically too afraid to make a mistake on such occasions, so they generally aren’t rip-roaring feasts of entertainment – much like a certain team’s entire campaign.
Spain carry the greater attacking threat and are the top-scoring team in this season’s competition. The patterns of play will likely see La Roja controlling things and knocking the ball around, patiently probing.
As England have shipped the opening goal in each of their last three matches, Spain could be a good option to get on the scoresheet first in the Euro 2024 final, leaving the Three Lions to chase.
England have been slow and pragmatic and have spent more time recycling the ball across the back line than anything else, valuing control through passive possession. They are typically a reactive team, rather than one that’s going to take the initiative, excite the crowds and attempt to break a deadlock.
Spain have looked the complete unit and are justifiable favourites. England have a tough task on their hands in the final as they will struggle to create attacks and will probably just try to put in a shift and hope for a moment of individual brilliance.
Will the impressive Spain, who have been the best team in the tournament by a country mile, deliver on Sunday, or will England have one last big show of resilience left up their sleeve? A one-goal margin either way will likely be enough.
Euro 2024 final betting at TonyBet
It’s the big match of the summer. Catch all the latest odds for the Euro 2024 final across many pre-match markets. Also, check out our great mobile betting app for the live betting options after the kick-off. Join TonyBet today and bet on the Euros final!
