The OFFICIAL England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 versus Spain 🇪🇸 thread - European Championship FINAL Sunday at 8PM ⚽️🏆 sponsored by visitBenidorm

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eggybread

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So here we are!

Route to the final:


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Here are some notable Spanish players who have played for Middlesbrough FC:

1. Gaizka Mendieta 🇪🇸
2. Aitor Karanka 🇪🇸 (as manager)
3. Antonio Barragán 🇪🇸
4. Álvaro Negredo 🇪🇸
5. Dani Ayala 🇪🇸
 

A closer look at Euro 2024 finalists Spain ahead of Sunday’s Berlin showpiece​

A Closer Look At Euro 2024 Finalists Spain Ahead Of Sunday’s Berlin Showpiece

Spain are on course for a fourth European Championship title after reaching the final of Euro 2024.

Luis de la Fuente’s side beat France in the semi-final to continue their 100 per cent record at the tournament.

Key players​

Dani Olmo celebrates on the pitch

Dani Olmo has scored three goals and made two for Spain (Bradley Collyer/PA)
This group of players has been heralded as the best Spain side since 2012, which is when they last won a major tournament. It is full of young, attacking talent and they are shining in Germany. Dani Olmo has three goals and two assists to his name, winning three man-of-the-match awards, while youngsters Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal have provided danger and excitement from wide areas. Fabian Ruiz has been the glue in the centre of the pitch and kept things ticking over with a 91 per cent pass success rate.

Manager​

Luis de la Fuente managed Spain at Under-19, Under-21 and Under-23 level

Luis de la Fuente is proof the system works as he made his way up through the age groups. He previously coached the under-19s, under-21s and under 23s before taking the senior side after Luis Enrique left following their 2022 World Cup exit. Given his experience in the youth age groups, it is little surprise Spain have emerged as one of the best young sides in the world. De La Fuente has transformed the fortunes of his nation, winning 16 of his 20 games in charge, scoring 53 goals along the way. They won the Nations League last year, which could prove to be a stepping stone to even bigger success this summer.

Form​

Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after his brilliant equaliser against France


Spain did not come into the tournament as hot favourites but, even if they do not finish the job on Sunday, they have been the best team in Germany and have enjoyed a record-breaking run. They are the only side to have won every match, even though they have not had the easiest journey. They breezed through a tough-looking group stage by beating Croatia, Italy and Albania, before disposing of Georgia in the last 16. They needed extra time to overcome hosts Germany in the quarter-final and then ousted World Cup finalists France in the last four.

Tactics​

While others have advanced through the tournament using a pragmatic approach, Spain have entertained, scoring 13 goals. They have adopted a fluid 4-3-3 which is primarily possession-based but have been able to switch things around, with the pace and skill of Williams and Yamal making them a threat on the counter-attack. Former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has also led the line and provided an outlet in the number nine role, though doubts surround his fitness for the final.
 
All the consistently succesful sides have lost semi finals and finals in amongst their tournament wins.. we now have the experience of losing and winning semi finals and losing a final…. Let’s go and take that last big step and take our place amongst the truly top teams.
 
Most won't find this interesting, but they should. Spain were 1.64 of to win the trophy before England win. Now they are 1.8. A huge move on betting terms.

England, if you are interested are 2.32 to win the tournament.
 
Questions for the final:

Shaw was steady when he came on, but is he up to dealing with Yamal?
It’s probably a game Trippier would be more important defensively with Yamal wanting to cut in on his left foot but will Trippier be fit?
Is Kane only good for an hour?
Will Williams and Yamal mean a 4 at the back is the way to go?
 
We will field the same 11 as yesterday except Shaw will come in for Trippier.

We will adapt our tactics to how Spain set up and our line up allows us to be very flexible in transitioning from one formation/tactic to another, depending on game state and how Spain are playing.

Then if need be, we have weapons off the bench that can change games and grab us goals, or even see games out.

Spain will rightly be favourites as they have been the best side this tournament, but we have a very good chance ourselves.

We have players who love the big games and who turn up in big games, so we need to respect Spain, but we shouldn't be scared of them.

They will be scared of us, just as much as we are of them.

Yamal, Williams, Olmo may cause us problems.

But Foden, Saka, Jude should cause them problems too.
 
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