This year’s European Championship comes down to England and Spain.
The Three Lions are typically pre-tournament favourites. But the hype always fizzles out.
This is why they are yet to win a major title since 1966 when they lifted the World Cup on home soil.
Gareth Southgate’s men have stared at possible elimination several times in the knockout rounds. But somehow, they have made it to the final for the second consecutive tournament.
On the other hand, La Roja are not really expected to make it this far.
There are no big names in Luis de la Fuente’s squad. But what he has done is build a squad that plays like a cohesive unit.
Spain have won all six games at Euro 2024 – the most wins any side has ever picked up in the competition’s history.
“Spain has been the best team in the tournament, by a long stretch,” Calvin Onwuka, the CEO of ACL Sports, tells DAILY POST.
“The best thing about them is their ability to switch modes and styles during matches.”
A lot of people have not been impressed with England, with the feeling being they have largely looked like less than the sum of their parts.
However, their collection of star players have managed to dig deep and grind out results.
“England are in the final. That’s about the only good thing to say about them, really,” Onwuka said.
“They had a quite brilliant 20 minutes in the semi-final. A period when they actually showed the quality of the players at their disposal.
“They were not able to sustain it but still won.”
Harry Kane and Dani Olmo are the top scorers in the competition ahead of the final.
Kane and Olmo have three goals from six shots on target and are hunting for the Golden Boot, with Jude Bellingham and Fabian Ruiz with two goals apiece.
But Onwuka feels Rodri will be the decisive player at the Olympiastadion.
Ballon d’Or shouts are growing for the Manchester City midfielder.
City’s FA Cup final defeat ended a run of 74 games unbeaten for his club, but Rodri has stepped straight back into winning habits with his country.
“The fitness of Rodri (is key). If he is not fit, England will not win,” Onwuka states emphatically.
Spain have consistently impressed, while England have been chunky mostly.
But a final could be an entirely different affair.
So, who wins?
“I am unable to stick my neck out on this.
“Man for man, England have even better players than Spain do. But the Spanish are a better team.
“The best teams never win tournaments,” Onwuka says.
Euro 2024: Spain vs England – A win for football or it comes home [A preview]