"Furia Roch" or "Three Lions"?

July 14 at 22.00 Moscow time in the final of the European Championship, Spain and England will clash

There were few such an outcome, overwhelming a hand on the heart. From neutral fans. Of course, in the FIFA rating, the eighth and fifth places sports ensembles were one of the favorites. Bookmakers generally considered the British the main applicants for the title. But this was before the start of the tournament in Germany, when experts have not yet seen sleepy British in the case ...

With the Spaniards, the story is opposite. The coefficient for the triumph of “Red Furia” was originally equal to 9. That is, in her final victory, until she fabulously joined, analysts believed even less than in the German and French miracle. But all these “gangs” (add here the Portuguese and Belgians, who were also ranked to the main applicants of the prize), like the current European champions-Italians-already in offsade, and the teams of 63-year-old Luis de la Fuente and 53-year-old Garethyite are preparing for the central battle for gold in the summer Berlin.

“We are not taken into account, and that's good. It’s easier to climb to the top, ”suggested Havbek and the most expensive player of Red Furia Rodri shortly before the opening of the forum. Not to say that the minuses of the brigade from the Pyrenees clearly outweighed their pluses. However, the spiritual leader, like a clear scorer, was not visible. Yes, the Spaniards easily slipped through the qualifying tournament, pricing 25 goals, but on the account of the best snipers - Hoselu and Morata - there were four accurate shots. In addition, due to injuries, the tournament in Germany missed two strong midfielders-Isko and Gavi.

Plus, the Furia Roch fell, as it was believed, in the "Death Group". To Italy, Croatia and the bold Albania. The experts hinted at the lack of a farm, who left Navas and the company exactly after Che-2012.

However, the sponsored Luis de la Fuente, taking the quarry from the place, began to suddenly circle the rivals around their fingers and upset the goalkeepers in every duel, solving the problem of going out into the playoffs for two rounds. The first ball, swift and inventive magicians walked from Georgians only in the fourth match. And it was, as you recall, the Robin Le Norman Motorogol. In short, only the Germans and the French managed to deceive the Unai Simon on the rack. But this did not help them. The Spaniards, in the camp of which half a dozen pupils of Basque football did not save their strength and with inspiration removed the elite squads, suffering only with the owners.

Matches of the national teams of Spain and England at Euro-2024

Spain (6 victories, goals difference 13-3)

• 1st round. Spain - Croatia - 3: 0

• 2nd round. Spain - Italy - 1: 0

• 3rd round. Albania - Spain - 0: 1

• 1/8 finals. Spain - Georgia - 4: 1

• 1/4 finals. Spain - Germany - 2: 1 (additional time)

• 1/2 finals. Spain - France - 2: 1

Best scorer - Dani Olmo (3 goals + 2 programs)

England (4 victories, 2 draws, the difference between balls 7-4)

• 1st round. Serbia - England - 0: 1

• 2nd round. Denmark - England - 1: 1

• 3rd round. England - Slovenia - 0: 0

• 1/8 finals. England - Slovakia 2: 1

• 1/4 finals. England - Switzerland - 1: 1 (5: 3 on a penalty)

• 1/2 finals. England - Netherlands - 2: 1

Best scorer - Harry Kane (3 goals)

England, but not childishly tickled the nerves of its fans, showing anti-foodball for three weeks. Watching the primitive and careful attempts of placers of charismatic stars - from Bellingham to Foden - was difficult and sad. But then what kind of thing - the viscous performances under the sauce “no matter what happened” brought a good “income”. And they brought because the well-known Gentlemen actors from the foggy Albion, who, with a bright game, failed both at the 2018 World Cup and at the World Cup 2022, speaking in a simple way, appeared in an iron character.

Judge for yourself. “Three Lions” is the first troupe in the history of European championships, which penetrated the final, passing in all the battles of survival of the first. Three strong -willed Victorias in a row! Moreover, the British equalized the score in the 80th minute, the Slovaks launched the victorious “bank” at 90+5, the Dutch-on the 90th. By the way, Harry Kane, throwing an “orange” penalty, turned into the author of the goal in the second semifinals of the euro in a row and thereby repeated the achievement of Valentin Ivanov and Victor Monday, which differed at the same stage in 1960 and 1964 ...

Miracles of will, but not only. The British, leisurely adding the plays in the course of the plays, removed shyness and nervousness in the chest, spat on criticism of their address and, not embarrassed, began to “unscrupulously” cut to the end, like Canadians in hockey. And a similar attitude is rarely in vain. They squeeze opponents masterfully, whatever one may say. And now I would be careful to call Spain the favorite of the Golden Randev.

I will not talk about what will need to be done to young, but fiery and reactive friends - Nico Williams and Yamal (they, by the way, on July 12 and 13 - birthdays) in order to pierce the British dragon cunningly and irrevocably. Intelligent birthday people, I am sure that without me they know it. In the same way, the harsh British probably have a plan for how to restrain and cut down the elegant soloists of the Red Furia. And the ball attendant the guide of the ideas of Soutegite, who, as the press writes, shines the knightly order in the case of Jackpot, will probably be rolled. The only question is that who will be able to implement their branded theses most competently and whether the French judge for the Monsters will intervene in the disassembly of two monsters unlike each other ... However, why guess?

Better listen to how the king of Great Britain advanced his subjects to the Feature of the British.

“My wife and I join our whole family and give you the warmest congratulations on the release of the European Championship, as well as the best wishes for the Sunday match. I will allow myself to win before there is a need in the miracle Golas in the last minute or in the next drama in the penalty shootout-then, I am sure that the pressure and pulse of the whole country will significantly decrease! ”

In the meantime, take care of the nerves and read a selection of curious statistics of the final matches of continental championships. And, as they say, think for yourself and imagine for yourself who will cry on the pedestal. With joy.

* Three cases were recorded in history when the national team won the European rally in its native country. Such a trick was a success to the Spaniards (in 1964), Italians (in 1968) and the French (in 1984). By the way, Les Bleus then defeated the “red fury” then. However, for the two current finalists, Germany is a stranger home.

• England never won old-world tournaments, and only once reached the finals (on Euro 2020).

• Spain conquered the euro three times (in 1964, 2008 and 2012). This is the only team that took gold twice in a row. And twice the champions retained their gates into inviolability.

• The battle of 1964 between the USSR and Spain became the most visited in history - 79,115 spectators.

• In 7 out of 16 finals, the winner was not detected in 90 minutes.

• Four times the fate of the prize was determined in additional time (in 1960, 1996, 2000 and 2016). And in 1968, a second match was appointed for Italians and Yugoslavov.

• In two main battles alone, it came to a penalty shootout (in Euro-76 and in Euro 2020). England was a participant in the last long shootout.

• Only in three cases out of 16, the future champion was inferior in the course of a meeting in a decisive match. By the way, in the main battle, 2020, the British were the first to open the score, but in the end they lost.

• According to the site www.transfermarkt.de , the cost of the England team is 1.52 billion euros (the most valuable team). The most expensive football player is Jud Bellingem (180 million euros), he is the most valuable player among all participants in the tournament along with Frenchman Kilian Mbappe. The cost of the Spanish national team is 965 million euros. The most expensive football player is Rodry (120 million euros).

• The annual salary of Gareth Southgate is 5.8 million euros (the most expensive coach for Euro 2024). The Spanish mentor Luis de la Fuente earns 1.25 million euros in 12 months.

• Throughout history, only once the final match of the Euro was judged by the French referee-Michelle Votro in 1988. And then 36 years later, this right is entrusted to his compatriot Francois Guides.

All finals of European championships

• 1960, USSR - Yugoslavia - 2: 1 (additional time). Judge: Arthur Ellis (England), city: Paris, stadium: "Park de Prens." Spectators: 17 966

• 1964, Spain - USSR - 2: 1. Judge: Arthur Holland (England), city: Madrid, stadium: "Santiago Bernabeu." Spectators: 79 115

• 1968, Italy - Yugoslavia - 1: 1 (first match), 2: 0 (second match). Judge: Jose Maria de Mendibil (Spain), city: Rome, Stadium: "Olympic Stadium." Spectators: 32 866

• 1972, Germany - USSR - 3: 0. Judge: Ferdinand Marshall (Austria), city: Brussels, stadium: "Eiseel". Spectators: 43 437

• 1976, Czechoslovakia - Germany - 2: 2 (5: 3 on a penalty). Judge: Sergio Ganella (Italy), city: Belgrade, stadium: "Tsrven Star." Spectators: 30 790

• 1980, Germany - Belgium - 2: 1. Judge: Nicholas Rain (Romania), city: Rome, stadium: "Olympic stadium." Spectators: 47 864

• 1984, France - Spain - 2: 0. Judge: Wolesh of Christ (Czechoslovakia), city: Paris, stadium: "Park de Prens." Spectators: 47 368

• 1988, the Netherlands - the USSR - 2: 0. Judge: Michelle Votro (France), city: Munich, stadium: "Olympic stadium." Spectators: 62 770

• 1992, Denmark - Germany - 2: 0. Judge: Bruno Galler (Switzerland), city: Gothenborg, stadium: "Ulyvi". Spectators: 37 800

• 1996, Germany - Czech Republic - 2: 1 (additional time, "golden goal"). Judge: Pierliji Pireretto (Italy), city: London, stadium: "Wembley." Spectators: 73 611

• 2000, France - Italy - 2: 1 (additional time, “golden goal”). Judge: Anders Frisk (Sweden), city: Rotterdam, stadium: “de kuip”. Spectators: 48 200

• 2004, Greece - Portugal - 1: 0. Judge: Marcus Merk (Germany), city: Lisbon, stadium: "Yes Lush." Spectators: 62 865

• 2008, Spain - Germany - 1: 0. Judge: Roberto Rosetti (Italy), city: Vienna, Stadium: "Ernst Happel." Spectators: 51 428

• 2012, Spain - Italy - 4: 0. Judge: Pedru Prince (Portugal), city: Kyiv, stadium: "Olympic". Spectators: 63 170

• 2016, Portugal - France - 1: 0 (additional time). Judge: Mark Clartenburg (England), city: Saint-Denis, Stadium: "Herms de France." Spectators: 75 868

• 2020, Italy - England - 1: 1 (3: 2 on a penalty). Judge: Bjorn Koipers (Holland), city: London, stadium: "Wembley." Spectators: 67 173

• 2024, Spain - England -? Judge: Francois Guides (France), city: Berlin, stadium: "Olympiastadion." Spectators:?

Coaches and Champions Captains

• 1960, USSR. Captain: Igor Netto, Coach: Gabriel Kachalin

• 1964, Spain. Captain: Ferran Olively, coach: Jose Villalolong

• 1968, Italy. Captain: Jachinto Fakketti, Coach: Ferrucio Valkashargi

• 1972, Germany. Captain: Franz Beckenbauer, coach: Helmut Schyong

• 1976, Czechoslovakia. Captain: Anton Ondrush, coach: Vaclav Haws

• 1980, Germany. Captain: Bernard Dits, coach: Jupp Derval

• 1984, France. Captain: Michelle Platini, coach: Michelle Idalgo

• 1988, the Netherlands. Captain: Ruud Gullit, coach: Rinus Micheles

• 1992, Denmark. Captain: Lars Olsen, coach: Richard Muller-Nilsen

• 1996, Germany. Captain: Jurgen Klinsmann, coach: Bertie Vogts

• 2000, France. Captain: Didier Desham, coach: Roger Lemerr

• 2004, Greece. Captain: Theodoros Zagorakis, coach: Otto Rehagel

• 2008, Spain. Captain: Iker Kasilyas, coach: Luis Aragones

• 2012, Spain. Captain: Iker Kasilyas, coach: Vicente del Bosk

• 2016, Portugal. Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo, coach: Fernando Santush

• 2020, Italy. Captain: Georgio Kiellini, coach: Roberto Mancini