The 2024 UEFA European Football also known as UEFA Euro 2024 or simply Euro 2024, hosted by Germany, has defied expectations and delivered a thrilling competition. Italy is the reigning champion. Underdogs have risen, giants have stumbled, and every match has been a battle for dominance. The Total number of goals scored so far before the final is 114 with an average of 2.28 goals per game. The venue of all the matches are 10 cities in Germany and more than 2.5 million watched the tournament in the stadiums.
The final countdown of Euro Cup 2024 begins and it will be on Sunday between two giant teams Spain and England on July 14, 2024 (Berlin, 21:00 CET). Spain reached the final by beating France with a score of 2-1 in Munich while the Netherlands lost the fight against England by 1-2 in Dortmund.
England
England lost the 2020 Euro Cup final to Italy in the penalties. The top scorer of England is Harry Kane with 3 feathers on his cap. Although Harry Kane scored a brilliant first goal in the semifinal match, Ollie Watkins scored a last-minute goal to save England by sending England to the final as the ball reached the nets. Olie Watkins received the “Player of the Match” title.
Spain
The semifinal between Spain and France was a thrilling one. France updated their scoreboard first when Kolo Muani scored the first goal from their side. Spain upset France with 2 goals from Dani Olmo and 16-years-old sensation Lamine Yamal. Spain has played 6 matches and won all of them. Spain also eliminated the hosts (Germany) in the quarter final.
Top Scorer
The race for the coveted Golden Boot is intense as 6 players locked horns: Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Harry Kane (England), Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Dani Olmo (Spain), and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia). Out of all these only Harry Kane (England) and Dani Olmo (Spain) will have the chance to increase their tally because they will be playing the final game.
Euro 2024: Journey
Germany is the host of the tournament which is showcased from June14 to July 14, 2024 comprised of 24 teams. Georgia is making their debut with this tournament.
Spain is the only team that has gone unbeaten and won all 6 matches they played in the road to finale whereas England won 3 of the 6 matches they played.
Ronaldo became the first player to appear in 6 Euro Cup tournaments from 2004 till now at the age of 39 years but could not extend his goals tally beyond 14. Pepe, another player from Portugal is the oldest in the tournament.
Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal made history by becoming the youngest player to ever feature at the EURO finals and also youngest to score a goal.
England player Jude Bellingham showed his skills by hitting the bicycle kick and became the youngest player to appear in two EURO Cup final tournaments at 20 years of age.
As Wikipedia says, each playing team will receive a participation fee of €9.25 million, with the winner able to earn a maximum of €28.25 million.