The UEFA EURO 2024 tournament culminated in a thrilling final match held on Sunday, July 14th. Football fans across the globe eagerly anticipated this showdown, marking the climax of weeks of intense competition. The final kicked off at 9:00 PM Central European Time (CET), ensuring a prime-time viewing experience for a vast international audience.
The stage for this monumental clash was the iconic Olympiastadion Berlin in Germany. This historic stadium, with its impressive capacity of 71,000, served as the perfect venue to host the EURO 2024 final. Olympiastadion Berlin is not just any stadium; it’s a significant landmark in the world of sports. As the home ground for Hertha BSC Berlin, a prominent German football club, and the consistent host of the German Cup final since 1985, it boasts a rich history in national football. Furthermore, its pedigree extends to the international stage, having previously hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, a memorable match between Italy and France, and the 2015 UEFA Champions League final where Barcelona triumphed over Juventus.
Beyond the final, Olympiastadion Berlin played a significant role throughout EURO 2024, hosting three crucial group stage matches, a round of 16 game, and a quarter-final. This made it a central hub of the tournament, witnessing numerous pivotal moments before reaching the ultimate final. Berlin, as one of the esteemed EURO 2024 host cities, offered a vibrant backdrop for these matches, adding to the overall excitement and atmosphere of the tournament.
In this EURO 2024 final, footballing giants Spain and England faced off for the coveted title. Spain, a team steeped in EURO history, entered the final with a legacy of success. Having already claimed the EURO championship in 1964, 2008, and 2012, Spain was aiming to become the first nation to secure five EURO titles. This final marked their fifth appearance in a EURO decider, with their only previous defeat in a final dating back to 1984 against France.
England, on the other hand, were looking to break their EURO final duck. This was their second consecutive EURO final appearance, following their heartbreaking loss on penalties to Italy in the EURO 2020 final at Wembley Stadium. Despite a strong footballing heritage, England had never before lifted the EURO trophy, making this match a quest for their first-ever European Championship title.
Interestingly, while Olympiastadion Berlin is a stadium with a long and prestigious history, the EURO 2024 final was the first time it hosted a EURO final. When West Germany hosted the 1988 UEFA European Championship, the final was held in Munich’s Olympiastadion, where the Netherlands defeated the USSR.
The responsibility of officiating this high-stakes match fell to François Letexier from France, a highly respected referee in European football. His selection to referee the EURO 2024 final underscored his experience and competence in managing top-tier football matches.
Spain’s victory in the EURO 2024 final not only secured their fourth title but also cemented their place as the most successful nation in the history of the UEFA European Championship. While Germany has participated in more EURO finals (six), Spain’s four victories out of five final appearances demonstrate a remarkable level of success when it comes to the EURO final stage.
Historically, host nations have experienced mixed fortunes in EURO finals. Spain (1964), Italy (1968), and France (1984) have all savored the triumph of winning a EURO final on their home soil. However, the pressure of playing at home has also led to disappointment for host nations, with Portugal (2004), France (2016), and England (2020) all losing the final in front of their own fans. Germany, the EURO 2024 hosts, were unfortunately eliminated in the quarter-finals, meaning they wouldn’t have the chance to play the final at home, regardless.
Looking back at EURO final history, the biggest win in a EURO final remains Spain’s dominant 4-0 victory over Italy in the EURO 2012 final held in Kyiv. This scoreline highlights an exceptional performance in a final match, showcasing Spain’s prowess at the time.
Interestingly, the highest-scoring EURO final is tied between two matches with four goals each. Besides Spain’s 4-0 win in 2012, the 1976 final between West Germany and Czechoslovakia also saw four goals, ending 2-2 after extra time before Czechoslovakia won 5-3 in a penalty shootout. This demonstrates that EURO finals can produce both dominant victories and tightly contested, high-scoring affairs.
A unique achievement in European football is winning both the UEFA Champions League and the EURO final in the same summer. A select group of ten players have accomplished this rare feat. In 2024, Dani Carvajal, Nacho, and Joselu from Real Madrid and Spain joined this elite list. Other notable players who have achieved this double include Luis Suárez (1964), several Dutch players in 1988, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata (2012), Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe (2016), and Jorginho (2020).
Several players have had the distinction of playing in multiple EURO finals. Thirty-one players in total have played in two EURO finals. At EURO 2024, England’s Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka joined this group, having also played in the 2020 final. Cristiano Ronaldo holds a unique record, having played in EURO finals 12 years apart (2004 and 2016). Fernando Torres stands alone as the only player to score in two separate EURO finals (2008 and 2012).
The EURO final has a rich history of being hosted in various iconic stadiums across Europe. In total, 14 different venues in 12 countries have had the honor of hosting the final. The EURO 2024 final in Berlin marked the 17th EURO final in the tournament’s history. Host cities have included Paris, Madrid, Rome, Brussels, Belgrade, Munich, Gothenburg, London, Rotterdam, Lisbon, Vienna, Kyiv, and Saint-Denis, showcasing the pan-European nature of the competition.
Finally, adding a touch of fun and engagement to EURO 2024 was Albärt, the tournament’s official mascot. This friendly teddy bear was created with the mission of encouraging children across Europe to be active and embrace the spirit of football.
In conclusion, the EURO 2024 final on July 14th at Olympiastadion Berlin was a momentous occasion, rich in history and excitement. From the participating teams to the venue and the numerous historical facts surrounding the EURO final, the event was a true celebration of European football.
