(Berlin) Euro 2024 draws to a close with a fireworks-like final on Sunday in Berlin, to celebrate the rebirth of Spain under Lamine Yamal or the resilience of England under Gareth Southgate.
The fans of the “Roja” and those of the “Three Lions” will animate the Olympiastadion with their cries, their tears and their bursts of joy at the end of a championship mixed with conflicting feelings.
Spain went through the tournament like a cannonball, piercing its opponents in turn, whether it was Croatia, Italy, Germany and France, the latest victim.
The team led by Luis de la Fuente, known as “Quiet Luis”, arrives in the German capital with the momentum of the powerful. “We are 90 minutes away from glory,” declared playmaker Dani Olmo.
PHOTO MATTHIAS SCHRADER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente
Opposite, the England team presents itself as a survivor of a journey where it has often stumbled, but has always gotten back up, like a tightrope walker clinging to the thread of its destiny, which it hopes will be magical.
The European runners-up have won just one of their six games in the first 90 minutes, the first against Serbia, before two draws (Denmark and Slovenia), extra time (Slovakia), penalties (Switzerland) and an injury-time victory against the Netherlands.
“A huge task”
At the start, “we didn’t play our best football, you don’t have to be a genius to realise that,” admitted Ollie Watkins, a substitute striker who became the saving scorer in the semi-final.
PHOTO THILO SCHMUELGEN, REUTERS
Ollie Watkins sent England through to the final with his late goal against the Netherlands.
England have been behind in each of their knockout games, yes, but “we have shown our solidarity, the fact that everyone is here as a team to work hard and pull together,” the Aston Villa player noted.
Spain were “the best team in the tournament and we have one less day to prepare so it’s a huge task but we’re still here and fighting,” added Gareth Southgate.
The coach can follow in the footsteps of Sir Alf Ramsey on Sunday, the only person to have brought a title to the country where football originated, in 1966 at the end of a World Cup hosted at home.
England are set to play their first ever final outside their home island, three years after coming close to defeating Italy in a penalty shootout at Wembley.
The wings of happiness
The Spanish, for their part, are seeking to pick up the thread of their rich European history, made brilliant by their three stars won in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
The “Roja” has regained all its brilliance with Luis de la Fuente, the architect of the revival of Spanish soccer, which he recovered from its lowest point after the failure in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
The current team does not deny the possession DNA that has irrigated the successes of its elders, but it has added percussion, speed and verticality by relying on its explosive wingers Lamine Yamal, 17 years old on Saturday, and Nico Williams, 22 years old since Friday.
PHOTO TOBIAS SCHWARZ, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
At 16, Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score a goal at the Euro in the match against France on Thursday.
The English also have their young stars, from Kobbie Mainoo to Jude Bellingham, via Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden, an armada gathered behind captain Harry Kane.
Bayern Munich’s star striker has a golden opportunity to win his first title and finally go from “Prince Harry” to “Kane the King” at almost 31 years old.
He would do so in front of Prince William, who is expected at the Olympiastadion on Sunday, according to Kensington Palace.
“One last push to finish the job!” wrote the man who is also president of the English Football Association (FA) on the social network X on Saturday. “Go ahead and show the world what you’re made of. We believe in you.”
Read Marc Cassivi’s column: “Red, the color of passion”