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Spain win the UEFA Euro 2024 title after a late 2-1 victory over England

Which side will win the UEFA Euro 2024 title decider between Spain and England?


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As the EURO Cup 2024 final approaches, anticipation is at an all-time high. The two best teams of the tournament are set to clash in a showdown that promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an exciting competition.

The final will be held at the iconic Olympic Stadium in Berlin, known for its electrifying atmosphere and passionate fans. With both sets of supporters expected to turn out in full force, the stadium will be a cauldron of excitement.

While predicting the outcome of such a high-stakes match is always challenging, it is certain that the team that can manage the pressure and execute their game plan effectively will emerge victorious. Both teams have shown they have what it takes to lift the trophy, making this final an exciting and unpredictable contest.

Now the world will be watching to see if England can secure their first European Championship or if Spain will add another title to their storied history. The EURO Cup 2024 final is set to be a memorable clash between two footballing giants.
 
Spain probably.

England have never won the Euro while Spain have won it 3 times.
 
Spain should win this one. They are a stronger team than England for sure but bad days can come.
 
I think Spain will win they have played the best football in the tournament but you never know England has recently lost a lot of finals and semis. May be they are due a surprise
 
If Spain brings their "A" game, there's only one winner. They have to much quality. Only downside for the Spanish is how much has them epic Games with Germany and France taken out of them.

As for England, they have a punchers chance.
 
Will there be a bank holiday if England win Euro 2024? Historic Sir Keir Starmer comments give hope

England fans are dreaming of a national bank holiday if the Three Lions win Euro 2024.


And previous comments from new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer suggest it is a genuine possibility.

Gareth Southgate's men face Spain in Berlin on Sunday night following their stunning last-gasp victory over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Substitute Ollie Watkins scored a dramatic 90th-minute winner to put England in their second-consecutive European Championship final.

The nation have not tasted major tournament success for 58 years, since their sole triumph at the 1966 World Cup, and victory would spark wild scenes across the country.

Many are already calling for a bank holiday to mark the possible occasion - and prime minister Starmer was among those calls back in 2021.

When England were preparing to take on Italy in the Euro 2020 final, a match they would go on to lose, Starmer was leader of the opposition and urged the Conservative government to call a bank holiday in the event of a Three Lions victory.

Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "The whole country is incredibly proud of what Gareth Southgate and our England heroes have achieved already. History has been made.

"If we win on Sunday, the country should get the chance to celebrate it properly with an extra bank holiday, granted in the name of the England team.

"I’ve got a strong feeling, it’s coming home."

Speaking in Washington at the NATO summit, the Prime Minister did not rule it out.

When asked about an extra Bank Holiday, he said: "We should certainly mark the occasion.

"I went to the last Euros finals. I don't want to go through that again so I don't want to jinx anything.

"We must mark it in someway but the most important thing is getting it over the line on Sunday."

Meanwhile, former Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady backed those calls.

Speaking in 2021, she said: “If England bring it home on Sunday, government should allow the country to celebrate by announcing a special bank holiday.

“But it can’t just be a one off. UK workers get fewer bank holidays than most of our European counterparts. The TUC has long called for more public holidays. So come on England!”

As of now, there are no official plans for a bank holiday if England win on Sunday.

Starmer is a lifelong Arsenal fan and still plays the game regularly.

On Wednesday, he was filmed taking a break from his first NATO summit to watch Harry Kane equalise from the penalty spot against the Netherlands.

The 61-year-old wrote on social media: "What a game @England and what a winner. Berlin here we come!"

It is understood Starmer will be in attendance when the Three Lions face the Spanish at the Olympiastadion in Germany's capital city.

 
Former England striker Gary Lineker says Gareth Southgate's side are on the "brink of history" after reaching the Euro 2024 final

The Three Lions beat the Netherlands 2-1 in Dortmund on Wednesday night to book a spot in Sunday's final against Spain.

It is the first time the men's side have reached a final outside England after playing the 1966 World Cup final and 2021 Euro final at Wembley, while the women's Euro victory in 2022 came on home soil.

England's men have never won the European Championship, with their World Cup win in 1966 their only major silverware, while Spain are three-time European champions.

"I think it's hugely significant for English football," Lineker, who will present BBC One's coverage of the final on Sunday, told BBC Sport.

"They were in a final, they were in the last final of the Euros, of course, and that was at Wembley, and that ended up in huge disappointment [losing to Italy on penalties].

"This is going to be tough, it's going to be difficult, but they're on the brink of history. No English team in football has ever won a major tournament abroad."

The closest a senior England team have come to winning a major tournament outside of England was in 2023, when the Lionesses were beaten by Spain in the World Cup final in Australia.

Xavi Simons gave the Netherlands an early lead in Dortmund on Wednesday but Harry Kane equalised from the penalty spot midway through the first half before Ollie Watkins scored the winner in the 90th minute.

Watkins' winner was England's fourth goal of the tournament scored past the 80th minute, including extra time.

"They have got that kind of never-say-die attitude, which is something that is hugely important," said Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 appearances for England.

"Even when they weren't playing great, they were grinding out results. And it's an old football cliche that if you can win when you play badly, then things are not that bad."

Source: BBC News
 
England have to 'finish the job' against Spain - Palmer

Cole Palmer says England can "finish the job" and change their lives forever by beating Spain in Sunday's Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

England booked the men's team's first appearance in a major final on foreign soil with a 2-1 victory over the Netherlands in their semi-final on Wednesday.

Palmer came off the bench to provide the assist for fellow substitute Ollie Watkins' last-minute winner in Dortmund.

England's men have never won the European Championship and their only major tournament triumph came in their home World Cup in 1966.

"Everyone's buzzing," Chelsea midfielder Palmer told the England YouTube channel. "Last night on the bus, tunes were on, [in the] changing room, everyone was just enjoying it.

"But obviously it's a short turnaround and it's a massive, massive game to change our lives, our family's lives, and to make everyone proud. That's what we're trying to do.

"I think if you've got to this final then you have to hopefully finish the job. It's all good getting to the final, and you've got to enjoy it because you don't get many moments to enjoy. But, no, everyone just wants to win so bad."

Gareth Southgate's side have shaken off a slow start to the tournament to reach a second Euros final in as many attempts.

England lost on penalties to Italy at Wembley three years ago but 22-year-old Palmer, who is playing in his first senior tournament, is looking to emulate the Under-21s, who beat Spain in last July's final to win their age-group European Championship.

"In the first few games, we didn't play the best that we could and everyone knew that," added Palmer.

"But now I think as the tournament's gone on, especially yesterday, I think we had our best game in the tournament, and that's what you want going into the later stages.

"It's huge. We played them last year in the Under-21s final, England versus Spain. Even that was a massive game, so I can't imagine this one."

Southgate has used Palmer as a substitute in all four of his appearances in Germany this summer, but the Chelsea midfielder has praised the manager for the environment he has created.

"I just think the togetherness that all the players have, he's created that," he added.

"It's our first tournament and we can see how close the lads are and stuff like that. The amount of time he puts into the lads to make us better and for the matches."


BBC
 
England striker Ollie Watkins on the messages he has had from home and whether Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been in touch: "No, I don't have the boss' number to be honest. I've had a few text messages. I was [enjoying] looking through them after the other night."

On England's progress in the tournament: "In the earlier stages we weren't playing our best football, everyone knew, but the main thing was we weren't losing games. As the tournament is going further on we're getting better.

"Everyone is there as a team to work hard and pull together."

Source: BBC Sports
 

Will Foden get the better of Rodri? Five key battles​


England will go in search of more history on Sunday when they take on Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

Gareth Southgate has led his team to back-to-back European Championship finals and a first men's major tournament final on foreign soil.

Spain have been the great entertainers in Germany, while England have had to call on grit and determination as they steadily improved to reach the final.

BBC Sport looks at five key battles that could decide who lifts the trophy on Sunday.

'Southgate stands on brink of glorious vindication'

Rodri v Foden & Bellingham

The midfield is likely to prove crucial in the final, with superstar talent in abundance.

Southgate has found a way of getting both Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden and La Liga Player of the Season Jude Bellingham to play in a central attacking role - and the two could be key to unlocking Spain.

Foden was superb against the Netherlands and was unlucky not to cap a stellar performance with a goal, and while Bellingham has struggled at times, he is capable of popping up with moments of magic.

Standing in their way will be Manchester City holding midfielder Rodri - who has lost only one of his past 79 games for club and country.

Foden knows only too well how good Rodri is with the two playing together at City, but that could also be advantageous to Southgate when working out how to manage him.

The 28-year-old, who was born on the day England knocked Spain out of Euro '96, is widely considered to be the best player in the world in his position.

Like he is for City, he is the engine of the Spain team and has dictated play from the midfield - creating five chances, providing one assist and recovering the ball 31 times.

Yamal v Shaw

Before this tournament, there were murmurs of an up-and-coming star in Barcelona's ranks - 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal.

But at Euro 2024, the teenager - who turns 17 the day before the final - has truly announced himself on the world stage, becoming the youngest player to start a European Championship match in Spain's opener against Croatia.

His goal in the semi-final made him the youngest goalscorer at a Euros or World Cup, breaking Pele's record. He also broke Pele's record of being the youngest player in a semi-final in either tournament.

He has provided three assists and created 13 chances, causing havoc on the right wing while Nico Williams does the same on the left.

If England are to have a chance of winning, they will have to deal with Spain's threat down the flanks.

Kieran Trippier has been preferred on the left side of defence throughout the tournament but he is an injury doubt after being replaced by Luke Shaw at half-time in the semi-final against the Netherlands.

Southgate confirmed it was just a precaution but Shaw has looked sharp when he has come on and not like someone who has spent four months out with injury.

As England's only natural left-back, the final could be the time to hand Shaw a start. He scored after just two minutes of the Euro 2020 final against Italy, so he has been there and done it on the big occasion.

Marc Cucurella vs Bukayo Saka, Euro 2024 has been a tale of redemption.

Only six months ago, Chelsea left-back Cucurella was being booed off by his own fans, having struggled to impress following a £63m move from Brighton in 2022.

But the 25-year-old was at the heart of Chelsea's unexpected late surge for a European place and has continued that form at Euro 2024.

He has started five of Spain's six matches, having earned only four caps prior to the tournament, and has struck up a brilliant partnership with Williams down Spain's left-hand side.

For Saka - after the heartbreak of missing a penalty in the final of Euro 2020 and the horrific racial abuse he received in the aftermath - Euro 2024 has highlighted his resilience.

Olmo vs Rice

The 22-year-old has been a consistent threat, earning his reward with a fine goal against Switzerland in the quarter-final before dispatching his penalty in the shootout - his story coming full circle.

Declan Rice has played every minute of England's Euro 2024 and covered more distance than any other player with 74.91km.

The Arsenal midfielder has had more than 300 touches and 236 completed passes while under pressure - more than any other player at the tournament.

He has also made seven line-breaking passes that have led to a shot and, defensively, is joint-top with France's Jules Kounde for balls recovered with 41.

Rice will look to dominate the middle of the park to prevent RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo from adding to his three-goal tally, which he has accumulated despite starting only two games.

Olmo is level with four other players on goals but his two assists mean he leads the race for the Golden Boot.

In the absence of Pedri, who suffered a tournament-ending injury against Germany in the last eight, Olmo has stepped up and interest in the 26-year-old from clubs around Europe has ramped up.

Spain's entertaining style at this tournament is in large part down to their dynamic wingers - Yamal and Williams.

Athletic Bilbao winger Williams, 21, has impressed down the left-hand side with his dribbling and ability to run at defences.

He and Yamal have become close friends and both celebrate birthdays in the two days leading up to the final.

Southgate will certainly look to trusted defender Kyle Walker to prevent any combined birthday/Euro-winning celebrations on Sunday.

Walker is 13 years Williams' senior but the quick full-back is one of the few defenders in Europe who can claim to be able to deal with the pace of France striker Kylian Mbappe and Brazil forward Vinicius Jr.

Source: BBC
 
Gareth Southgate says he is "not a believer in fairytales but is a believer in dreams" as he prepares to lead England in Sunday's Euro 2024 final against Spain.

The men's team are looking to end their wait for a first trophy since winning the 1966 World Cup.

Southgate featured as a player at Euro 1996, which was played in England but won by Germany. Asked if he felt it was fate the Three Lions now have the chance to win a European Championship in Germany, he said: "I am not a believer in fairytales but I am a believer in dreams.

"We have had big dreams and felt the importance of that, but you have to make those things happen.
“The run we’ve had, the late goals and penalties, doesn’t equate to it being our moment. We have to make it tomorrow and perform.

"It would be a lovely story and it's in our hands but the performance is the most important thing."

'I want the players to be fearless'​

Gareth Southgate has led England to a second successive European Championship final

Back in that 1996 tournament, Southgate missed the decisive shootout penalty in the semi-final against Germany. The current England team have also gone through difficult experiences at recent tournaments, losing on penalties to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 and exiting at the quarter-final stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing to France. They were seconds away from going out of the Euros at the last-16 stage against Slovakia until Jude Bellingham's overhead kick took the game to extra time and Harry Kane’s header sealed victory.

Since then, they have beaten Switzerland on penalties and come from behind to see off the Netherlands to reach the final.
Southgate believes his players should go into Sunday's final at Berlin's Olympiastadion against a strong Spain side better for their past experiences.

"I don't have any fear about what might happen [against Spain] because I've been through everything," he added.
"I want the players to feel that fearlessness. I want them to be able to be the best version of themselves because, whatever happens, we're so strong as a group."

England have ‘extra fire and hunger’ after Italy defeat​


England beat Switzerland on penalties to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2024. England captain Harry Kane says the final defeat to Italy at Wembley has given him and his team-mates that extra motivation to put things right by beating Spain.

Asked what it would mean to lift the European Championship trophy, he added: "It would mean everything. It would be the most incredible feeling.

"For the fans to have that moment in history and celebrate that, it would be special. "We have been here before, it was a tough finish in the last Euros, there's extra hunger and fire in our belly to make sure this one goes our way."

For Kane, victory on Sunday would also see the 30-year-old win a first trophy for club or country. The Bayern Munich striker is both England and Tottenham's all-time leading scorer, won the 2018 World Cup golden boot, the 2024 Champions League golden boot and three Premier League top-scorer awards.

Asked if he would swap all of those accolades in an instant for victory against Spain, Kane said: "Of course, it's no secret that I haven't won a team trophy.

"Every year that goes by, you're more motivated and you're more determined to change that and now I have the opportunity to win one of the biggest trophies you could ever win and to make history with my nation.
"I'm extremely proud to be English. I'd swap everything in my career to have a special night by winning [on Sunday]."

'Euro 2024 trophy would give us respect of footballing world'​

Under Southgate, England have reached back-to-back European Championship finals as well as the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the last eight of the tournament in Qatar four years later.

The Three Lions boss believes his side now have the mentality of being a team that reaches the latter stages of major tournaments - and feels they now need to take that next step by winning Euro 2024.

"I've travelled to World Cups, European Championships, watching as an observer and watched highlight reels of matches on the big screens - and we weren't in any of them,” Southgate said.

"We needed to change that. We had high expectations but they didn't match where we were performance-wise. Now the high expectations are still there but we've had consistent performances, certainly over three of the last four tournaments and a quarter-final in the fourth.

"In the end you have to be in the latter stages of tournaments to learn how to win the big games.
"A lot of records we have broken but we know we have to do this one, to get this trophy to really feel the respect of the footballing world."

'There are no favourites for final'​

Spain have been impressive at Euro 2024, winning all six of their games in either 90 or 120 minutes and beating France and hosts Germany along the way.

In contrast, England have received criticism for some of their performances at this tournament.
But Spain boss Luis de la Fuente believes all that counts for nothing on Sunday.

Source: BBC
 
'De la Fuente knew Spain were special - a nation now agrees'

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente was recently asked why he crossed himself before a game if he isn't superstitious.

"When people ask me if I'm superstitious, I say no - I have faith," he replied.

"I am religious because I have decided to be. I come from a religious family, but throughout my life I have had many doubts and I have been far from religious.

"But at one point in my life, I decided to get closer to it and rely on God for everything I do. Without God, nothing in life makes sense."

His faith is not limited to his belief in a higher power, but also defines his relationship with his Spain squad, a lot of whom he has known for many years and a group he trusts implicitly.

Throughout Euro 2024 he has enjoyed an excellent relationship with the media. A calm, softly spoken, scrupulously polite, seemingly ego-free individual, he refers to every journalist by their forename.

The only time he has veered slightly off the script he has controlled throughout the tournament was after the France game when he gently chided journalists for ever having doubted them.

He did so because he has always been convinced his group is special and some of the best players in the world, and he has never understood why some could not see it.

'A company man who survived'

Since his appointment in December 2022 after the Qatar World Cup, this is the first squad to be selected exclusively by him and his backroom team.

When Spain won the Nations League in 2023 they did so effectively with former coach Luis Enrique's side.

This is a squad built on the foundations of those players De la Fuente has worked with over the past 11 years he has been with the Spanish football federation (RFEF), the base of which comes from the U19s and U21s victories in previous European Championships.

In 2015 he won the European Under-19 Championship with a team that included the likes of Rodri and Mikel Merino in central midfield.

Then in 2019 the side that won the European Under-21 title included in its ranks Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal and Fabian Ruiz.

He also won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics with a team that included Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Unai Simon and once again Merino, Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo.

Players he has been in touch with throughout their careers, through good times and bad.

Add to that the sparkle of the likes of birthday boys Lamine Yamal (13 July) and Nico Williams (12 July), whose combined age of 39 is now greater - just - than that of the veteran of the squad, 38-year-old Jesus Navas, the last remaining link to the great Spain sides from 2008 to 2012.

One of De la Fuente's qualities is his adaptability. He was chosen because he could add different layers to a side that became obsessed with possession.

But it wasn’t always a smooth ride. Along the way he has had to make difficult and not always popular decisions, and also survive one error of judgement.

When he, and others, gave former RFEF president Luis Rubiales a standing ovation when he announced at a rapidly convened meeting that he would not resign over kissing player Jenni Hermoso after Spain won the Women's World Cup, it could have cost him his job.

De la Fuente was caught very much between a rock and a hard place, entering the room not being sure of what was being displayed in front of him, and now recognises he took the wrong decision.

He is very much a 'company man' - a civil servant of the RFEF if you like - and behaved as he was supposed to.

But he survived.

'De la Fuente's three leaders'

The first major decision he had to make concerned the possible reintroduction of Sergio Ramos that was being hyped by much of the Madrid-based pro-Ramos media.

De la Fuente is well aware of the need for captains on the pitch - but he quickly made it clear Ramos was not going to be one of them, no matter how he performed at club level. He put his faith in three others.

Alvaro Morata is not particularly warrior-like, nor overly charismatic, but rather more introverted, sensitive and concerned about dedicating himself to the team's welfare. A perfect frontman to help with team unity.

His general on the pitch is Rodri, almost certainly the best holding midfielder in the world. In defence, the captain's role is taken by incessantly talking motivator Aymeric Laporte.

Three captains, three leaders with totally different personalities with perhaps one major thing in common, namely, that when available, they are the first names on De la Fuente's teamsheet.

'Winning mentality born from detail'

Inside De la Fuente's calm and quiet demeanour lies a winning gene. It is worth noting that in every tournament he has been at the helm Spain have at least reached the semi-finals.

More importantly he recognises those among him who are also winners and what makes a team winners.

Much of it is in the detail.

After every game he always insists on a team picture, by which he means a picture of everyone.

He believes the whole staff, physios, assistant coaches and kit managers play their part. This is not just about the superstars on the pitch, but the whole team.

De la Fuente's chief assistant is Pablo Amo, a former Sporting Gijon and Deportivo centre-back, and the person who speaks most to the players on the pitch.

He has also added more data as a greater analysis of his rivals' style of play, although rather than over-concentrating on their rivals, De la Fuente and Pablo Amo prepare the games on what they believe to be their strengths.

'A good person more important than a good player'

The impressive victory against Italy in the group stage caused many to finally start believing in De la Fuente.

Against Germany in the quarter-finals, after making substitutions that looked for control instead of a second goal and encouraged the hosts to push on until they forced extra time, the manager's speech before the following half hour was decisive.

"The game starts from scratch," he said. "We forget everything that has happened in the 90 minutes before. We want the ball and we are better. And above all, we are going to help our team-mates”.

After the Germany game the group got together, had a few drinks, chilled out, did some karaoke, where he gave by all accounts a passable rendition of a Julio Iglesias hit.

The essence of his philosophy is that this is not just a national side, but fundamentally a united team of players who know and trust one another, and always fight each other’s corner.

And the starting rule for that is that he prefers a good person rather than a good player in his squad, for the simple reason that a good person will go the extra mile for their team-mate, accept being left on the bench and give his very best when called upon to do so.

He congratulated Yamal for his goal against France but actually praised him as highly for his actions in 'taking one for the team' when he stopped Theo Hernandez late in the game, getting a yellow card in return.

Conversely when Dani Olmo was scolded by the youngster for failing to track back during a France attack, he was quick to remind Yamal that what was needed in such situations was encouragement and positivity.

He is also much more insistent than previous Spanish coaches in his demand for his midfielders and forwards to take more shots.

He believes the more you shoot, the more chances you have to score for a side that is not free-scoring or does not have a great finisher.

'England need to win - Spain desire it'

It feels as though England need to win on Sunday, while Spain desire it.

England will have a deep analysis of a defeat, verging on a crisis, while Spain will move on to Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe presentation on Tuesday, obsessed as we are about football clubs more than the national side.

There is an expectation in England, having been given this chance, that they will win Euro 2024. Spain feels their side have all it takes to win.

There will be big screens in towns and villages throughout Spain as they watch De la Fuente's side attempt to bring the European Championship trophy back to the country for the first time in 12 years.

Win or lose against England in Berlin tonight, the future bodes well for Spanish football.

Victory this time for a team that has been humble, engaging, brave and attractive throughout the tournament will be different in the streets.

It will be a new dawn to a generation of football fans, until now continually fed a Spanish footballing diet centred on Real Madrid and Barcelona, who had grown tired of the controversies, or disinterested in the game.

Now you see many shirts of Yamal and Williams in province capitals and villages.

Meanwhile, every now and then, De la Fuente will remind everyone that the real star of his team is just that - the team.

BBC
 

Rail misery as hundreds of trains cancelled with staff choosing to watch England​


Hundreds of Sunday trains have been cancelled across Britain as staff exercise their right not to work overtime on the day of the Euro 2024 final.

The leading intercity operator, GWR, is warning passengers: “Sickness and England reaching the final of the Euros are likely to reduce the number of colleagues available for overtime shifts.”

So bad is the disruption caused by train crew choosing to watch the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain that National Rail is warning passengers on the Great Western line linking London Paddington with South Wales and the West of England: “Do not travel after 6pm.”

Even though Sunday is now one of the busiest days on the railways, significant numbers of staff do not have Sundays in their normal working week.

Train operators rely on volunteers working overtime to run their full schedule.

GWR is warning “the number of cancellations could lead to a train every two hours” even on core lines linking London with Bristol.

“On the impacted routes, where trains are able to run they are expected to be very busy,” the rail firm said. GWR says tickets for Sunday 14 July will be valid on Monday 15 July.

In north west England, Northern has put out a “Do Not Travel” notice on six lines, mainly in and out of Manchester – with a warning of further very short notice cancellations on other routes.

A spokesperson for Northern, said: “We are actively managing higher levels of staff sickness – and on Sundays, which rely on crews volunteering to work additional hours, we have seen a reduction in train crew making themselves available on parts of the network.

“In addition, the ongoing industrial relations issues have their own impact. We are working hard with our colleagues and other train operators to improve service reliability.”

Northern is in public ownership – as is LNER, which has cancelled more than 20 intercity trains on Sunday with many others curtailed “due to a shortage of train crew”.

Some of the trains which are running are reported to be “full and standing” because of the extra passengers who are trying to squeeze on board.

All LNER trains are being delayed because of the need to make additional stops to compensate for the calling pattern of the cancelled trains.

LNER is offering passengers who are booked to travel after 6pm on Sunday the chance to defer their journey to Monday 15 July. Anyone who avails of the option must make a free seat reservation for their chosen trains.

In the West Midlands and on links between Birmingham, Northampton and London, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway warns: “Based on the current rostering forecasts, it is unfortunately likely that services will be disrupted on all routes.”

Separately, ScotRail is already operating a reduced timetable “to provide greater certainty and reliability for customers”.

The train operator, which is owned by the Scottish government, says: “This is a result of the ongoing impact of fewer train drivers than normal currently available for overtime or rest day working, as is their contractual right.

“Some rest day working and overtime is still needed to deliver a normal timetable. This has historically been the case in the railway and is replicated in other train operators across Britain.”

 
Lineup for the EURO 2024 Final

Spain XI:
Simon, Carvajal, Le Normand, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams, Morata
 
Spain win, well deserved.

Congratulations best team won it
 
spain deserved it, england wont win diddly with kane up front, he stunts every attack and has the movement of an anchored cinder block.

the only time england looked good was the 15 minutes after kane was subbed off.

beautiful pass for both spains goals tho, lots of exciting young talent. entertaining second half.
 
💙Mikel Oyarzabal just saved football u beauty 💙

Viva Espania…. VAMOS….
 
Spain went through the gears in 2nd half and deserved to win

Nico Williams their best player all tournament and in the final
 
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England’s quest to end 58 years of pain and disappointment ended in failure as they were beaten by Spain in the Euro 2024 final at Berlin's Olympiastadion.

Gareth Southgate's side were sunk by Mikel Oyarzabal's late winner to leave England heartbroken again and unable to end the long wait for success for the men's team.

Spain's young star wingers combined to give them the lead two minutes after the break as Lamine Yamal's pass opened up space for Nico Williams to beat England keeper Jordan Pickford with a powerful low finish.

England captain Harry Kane was out of sorts once more and was substituted on the hour and it was Cole Palmer - on for Kobbie Mainoo - who raised hopes of another dramatic comeback with a composed left-foot strike after 73 minutes.

It was Spain, however, who snatched the win four minutes from time as Oyarzabal slid home Marc Cucurella's cross to leave England the nearly men once more.
 
Poor game by England. No good passes, neither ball possession nor tactical movements and poor defence. **** show
 
spain deserved it, england wont win diddly with kane up front, he stunts every attack and has the movement of an anchored cinder block.

the only time england looked good was the 15 minutes after kane was subbed off.

beautiful pass for both spains goals tho, lots of exciting young talent. entertaining second half.
Kane shouldn't play for England again, was like a lead weight tonight.

Spain just had to much class with ball.

Nico Williams was on fire tonight
 
Rodri has been named the player of the tournament

Lamine Yamal named young player of the tournament
 
England captain Harry Kane, speaking to ITV:

"It's hard to put into words how we're all feeling right now. Tough game. We did well to get back into the game and struggled to build on that. To concede late on is really tough to take.

"We've been coming from behind all tournament, we've got it in the locker. We didn't take the next step and win it.

"In the first half, we struggled. We couldn't keep the ball. Second half was better and we got the goal. We got caught with a cross and that's the final.

"It's an opportunity missed. These finals aren't easy to get to. You have to take it when it comes and we haven't done it again. It's extremely painful and it'll hurt for a long time.

"Gareth will go away and take time to decide. We wanted to win it for him."
 
King Charles has released a message of support via social media, external following tonight's defeat for England:

"Although victory may have eluded you this evening, nevertheless my wife and I join all my family in urging you and your support team to hold your heads high. All those who have participated in sporting activities at any level will know how utterly despairing such a result can feel when the prize was so near - and will join me in sending heartfelt sympathy, even as we congratulate Spain.

"But please know that your success in reaching the European Championship final is a really great achievement in itself, and one that brings with it the pride of a nation which will continue to roar for the Three Lions today – and in the many triumphs which I have no doubt lie ahead."
 
Congratulations, Spain.

They are now the most successful team in Euro Cup's history. 4th Euro title.
 
Well deserved victory to Spain and to football in general. They are a level above rest, would have loved to see Pedri and Gavi here as well.

England have many young players so they will be a force in next WC, they need a new manager though, a Bielsa or Pep, or Klopp would get alot more out of these young players. Palmer should have started today.
 
Espana Espana ole ole ole...
Ah I was in Spain in 2012 for there last euro win.. I can imagine the scenes today... thankfully England lost can't stand them winning anything
 
Firstly, congratulations to Spain.
The best team in the tournament won.

we played with ten men for 50 odd minutes that's how pathetic Kane was.
Didn't close down their keeper, couldn't hold the ball up or make an easy pass and didn't even bother to jump for the ball when it was kicked long by Pickford. Utterly useless...

We have some very gifted attacking players and an extremely defensive coach. Time to get Klopp in. Go to him with a begging bowl if they have too but get him at the helm no matter what the cost is...
 
The players are bottle jobs. Foden didn't get in to the game. Nor did Bellingham.
Like I said, the press is kryptonite to the English players, they panic on the ball when pressed. But blame the manager, who is right up there with the best English managers ever
 
If the striker is a statue, the defense can close the space for opposition Midfield.
Kane is night the only problem. England lack dribbling wingers like lewis, yamal, musiala, English wingers are link players, who can't run on. Kane is effective with runners off him
 
Gutless and toothless performance by England.

Southgate ended his career as England manager tonight. Always said he was and always will be tactically inept.
 
The players are bottle jobs. Foden didn't get in to the game. Nor did Bellingham.
Like I said, the press is kryptonite to the English players, they panic on the ball when pressed. But blame the manager, who is right up there with the best English managers ever

You’ve made some great points here in this thread, particularly about Germany v Spain being the real final, but sorry Southgate isn’t a Premier League manager.

A better manager, who knows how to utilise the pace and the calibre of these England players would have won England at least a Euro or WC. A good manager would have won England multiple of these.
 
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The real final was Spain v Germany. High quality players on both teams, who had a real ding dong battle.

True.

Arguably the worst ever Euro however. The fact that England played another final only shows how bad the situation is.
 
The only win of England in their fav game should have as Pele was injured
 
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kane is babar of english football, plastic fantastic league bully who dont win anything and who you cant say anything against
There are some memes about trophies and Hary kane right? Whichever team he goes to doesnt win but wins before or after that :P
 
True.

Arguably the worst ever Euro however. The fact that England played another final only shows how bad the situation is.
Well hate put aside, this England team consist of some very good young players. They had a lot easier way to final then Spain, but players showed character several times coming from behind. We can blame the manager but even with a better manager they still would have struggled agaisnt Spain. On current form only Argentina can match Spain.
 
Well hate put aside, this England team consist of some very good young players. They had a lot easier way to final then Spain, but players showed character several times coming from behind. We can blame the manager but even with a better manager they still would have struggled agaisnt Spain. On current form only Argentina can match Spain.
That's the point despite having a much easier route to finals, England often fell behind where it shouldnt have been. It shows lack of skill which was being masked by remarkable comebacks. Spain literally bossed around the whole game.
England would find it tough to compete against France and Germany too.

Miraculous escape against Slovakia, scrapped passed Switzerland, a lucky penalty against Netherlands. Not a grand route it was.
It is one of the best English sides in quite some time but its still retains the status of also rans.
 
Southgate playing a low block with Kane playing as one of the centre backs was plain dumb. You saw how panicked the Spain defence got when Watkins and Palmer came on. If you are going to play low blocks, you need pace on counter.

Kane needs to go, foden was non-existent for 95% of tournament.

Walker is garbage when it comes to link up play when going forward.

Get kiopp or even wenger next manager
 
Well hate put aside, this England team consist of some very good young players. They had a lot easier way to final then Spain, but players showed character several times coming from behind. We can blame the manager but even with a better manager they still would have struggled agaisnt Spain. On current form only Argentina can match Spain.

I respect that.
Purely from a football pov, the quality at the Euro has went down significantly mostly to do with Germany’s downfall. But the rest aren’t doing great either.
European nations are just fortunate the South American football isn’t doing great either.
 
Kane is night the only problem. England lack dribbling wingers like lewis, yamal, musiala, English wingers are link players, who can't run on. Kane is effective with runners off him
I respectfully disagree.

We have players that can dribble and get past players. Issue was the coach.

Eze is a dribbler of the ball but didn't get picked, Grielish is a dribbler who can unlock defences but wasn't even in the squad...on top of that all three of Mainoo, Foden and Sakha are brilliant on the ball but due to the system and having to play Trippier on the left, all were forced to play with the hand breaks on.

To make matters worse, we had Kane as a front man who looked leggy, didn't press theor goal keeper or their defence throughout the entire tournament..



We have more than enough talent in England, just that the right players weren't selected and we looked utterly useless largely due to that.
 
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I respect that.
Purely from a football pov, the quality at the Euro has went down significantly mostly to do with Germany’s downfall. But the rest aren’t doing great either.
European nations are just fortunate the South American football isn’t doing great either.
If everyone is stumbling , who is winning? Asia?? :ROFLMAO:
 
I respectfully disagree.

We have players that can dribble and get past players. Issue was the coach.

Eze is a dribbler of the ball but didn't get picked, Grielish is a dribbler who can unlock defences but wasn't even in the squad...on top of that all three of Mainoo, Foden and Sakha are brilliant on the ball but due to the system and having to play Trippier on the left, all were forced to play with the hand breaks on.

To make matters worse, we had Kane as a front man who looked leggy, didn't press theor goal keeper or their defence throughout the entire tournament..



We have more than enough talent in England, just that the right players weren't selected and we looked utterly useless largely due to that.
I've heard variants of this every time England play in a major tournament.

You may be right. You know more about tactics in football than I do but it seems like every single tournament the players are amazing but the tactics and manager let them down.

However when you look at things like the champions League winners, best players around the world, ballon dor winners even the best managers and none of them are usually English.

Spanish players dominate their leagues, Germans theirs, Italians theirs but the Premier is (mainly) dominated by others.

Bearing this mind then perhaps two back to back finals where you have lost by slim margins is actually a decent result?
 
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