Sunday, December 22, 2024

Euro 2024: Who do neutral fans want to win between England and Spain? – BBC Sport

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Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, The Euro 2024 final between England and Spain kicks off at 20:00 BST on Sunday

  • Author, Gary Rose
  • Role, BBC Sport journalist in Berlin

After 50 matches in 30 days it all comes down to two teams as England and Spain contest the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.

Spain have consistently impressed so far in Germany, winning all of their games without needing penalties en route to the final.

England, meanwhile, started slowly but have made it to the last game of the European Championship for the second successive tournament.

Their own teams may have been knocked out, but fans from all over the continent are still in Berlin to soak up the atmosphere before Sunday. BBC Sport spoke to some of them to find out who they think will – or want to – win.

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Gareth Southgate has taken England to back-to-back European Championship finals

I would prefer Spain to win. I wished for the Netherlands to win the tournament since Germany got knocked out, but now I think Spain is the better choice because English football is not that attractive to watch.

England does have some great players. I am a Bayern Munich fan so I like Harry Kane but I feel some of their players need to be a bit more down to earth. If they were I think more people would like England to win, but I want Spain to win and I think they will – 2-1.

The way England play, with the players they have, they play terrible football because of Gareth Southgate.

Also, some of their players I don’t like. I don’t want them to win and then be cocky on social media.

I think this is going to be a very bad final to watch. No-one will want to have the ball. It could be 2-1 either way.

‘England beat us, so we want Spain to win’

Spain have played the best football until now, and of course we lost to England so we have to support the opposite team, really.

The Netherlands lost control in the first half against England. They were better in the second half but they were still too defensive and not taking any risks. Without risk, you won’t get a goal. The penalty for England was also a shame!

I am going to the final with my friend. We had been convinced the Dutch would get there but it did not matter who got to the final, we always planned to go. This is the holiday for us this year.

I think the final will be a draw after extra time because no team wants to make a mistake or take a risk. Spain will then win on penalties.

‘It would be nice for England after 50 years without a trophy’

The England team was better in the last game against the Netherlands. Before then they were not so good.

It is a one-off game, so anyone could win really, but I think Spain will win 3-1.

It would be nice for England to win after over 50 years since they won a trophy, but I think it will be hard because Spain are playing so well.

England are a good team but Gareth Southgate is too defensive with so many good attacking players. But he has got to the final!

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Spain are the highest scorers at Euro 2024 with 13 goals

Daniele and son Flavio, Italy fans:

We want Spain to win. We both like their team but Flavio is a big fan of Lamine Yamal.

They play the best football and they have been the best team in this European Championship.

Flavio is also a Barcelona fan and they have more players who he likes.

England do have some great players like Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo, but we think Spain will win 2-0.

I think Spain will win and it will be nice if they do because Germany lost against Spain and then we can say ‘OK, we lost to the team that won the European Championship’ so that would not be so bad.

Spain played good football against us but we also played well. The referee missed a handball, which was important.

I think the final will be close but Spain has played better football than England in this tournament.

Still, anything can happen in a final.

‘Spain have been the most entertaining side at the Euros’

I am a Denmark supporter, but I wasn’t particularly impressed with how Denmark played at this tournament.

I don’t have a strong feeling who I want to win on Sunday, I think Spain have played the most entertaining football during the Euros so I am probably rooting for them.

However, England played pretty well in the semi-final. If they play similar or better in the final and win then I wouldn’t have any issues. I just want to see the deserving winner.

My son, August, wants England to win because he is a very big fan of Phil Foden.

‘We don’t like Spain because they beat Germany’

Benjamin and son Fabian, Germany fans:

We want England to win. They have Harry Kane and he is the best English player. We also don’t like Spain because they beat Germany.

This is England’s second final after the last Euros so I believe the win is coming for them this time.

I predict a comfortable 3-0 win with Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham also scoring.

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