Before the start of the European Championship, England and Spain were the first and second favorites for the title, respectively.
They will play in the final, the bookmaker's forecast was correct, although the "red fury" and Gordy Albion had a completely different path until the last game at the Euro.
The Spaniards celebrated in all six games and left the impression of the best team, while the "three lions" were specific, with the clear goal of showing that the result is more important than anything else - they improved their form through the competition, had the necessary (large) dose of luck and secured the second consecutive EP finals.
The final is on Sunday at 21:XNUMX at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin - Spain is chasing the fourth title in history, and England is aiming for the first...
- We can't wait for the final against such a great opponent as England. We are playing against a top team and top players and I expect the final to be a real spectacle - said "la rohe" coach Luis de la Fuente.
In the group, Spain outplayed Croatia, Italy and Albania (it won nine points without conceding a goal), justified its role as favorite against Georgia in the round of 16, and then eliminated two greats - Germany and France.
- We deservedly reached the final, we are going with a clear vision of how to fulfill the goal, but in the last game a lot is decided. One mistake can be fatal, and we have to be focused enough not to make it - pointed out De la Fuente and concluded:
- We enter the final with a clear desire to win, not with the fear of defeat.
England entered the tournament slowly - despite the modest games, the victory over Serbia and draws in duels with Denmark and Slovenia brought them first place in the group. And then there were three matches of the knockout phase (Slovakia, Switzerland and the Netherlands) in which Gareth Southgate's team showed the character of the winners.
Against the Slovaks, in the 95th minute he avoided elimination thanks to the mastery of Jude Bellingham (later Harry Kane scored for the triumph), with the Swiss he also came back from a deficit and went to penalties, while against "lala" in the semi-finals he made another turnaround at his best Euro.
- Now comes the best - the match for the title, the match for history - said Southgate.
Ollie Watkins was the golden reserve in the semi-final, shaking the Dutch net when everyone was preparing for extra time.
- Ask Cole Palmer to confirm what I told him a few hours before the game. It was like this: "We'll both go in, you'll 'pack' a chance for me and I'll score," said Watkins.
They entered the field in the 81st minute, and in the 90th minute, Chelsea's master sent the ball into the area, and the Aston Villa striker hit the far corner of Bart Verbruggen's goal with a shot through the legs of Stefan de Frei.
Watkins played a total of 32 minutes at the Euro - before the semi-finals he was on the field and 22 in the duel with Denmark in the group.
Bonus video:
