The UEFA EURO 2024 final was a highlight for football fans globally, culminating in a thrilling match held in the iconic Olympiastadion Berlin. Let’s delve into the details of this prestigious Euro football event, exploring when and where it took place, the teams involved, and some historical context around Euro finals held in the past.
When Did the Euro 2024 Final Take Place?
Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 14th – the date of the UEFA EURO 2024 final. The excitement peaked as the match kicked off at 21:00 CET. Football enthusiasts around the world tuned in to witness the climax of this major Euro football tournament.
Alt text: Panoramic view of Olympiastadion Berlin during daytime, showcasing the stadium’s architecture and vibrant blue running track, emphasizing its readiness to host the Euro 2024 final.
Where Was the Euro 2024 Final Stadium?
The stage for this epic Euro football showdown was none other than the Olympiastadion Berlin. As the largest stadium in the entire tournament, boasting a seating capacity of 71,000, it provided a fitting venue for such a significant match. This stadium is the home ground for Hertha BSC Berlin, a team in the German second tier, and has a rich history of hosting major football events. Since 1985, it has been the consistent host of the German Cup final, and it has also been the chosen location for numerous prestigious European and international fixtures. Notably, Olympiastadion Berlin was the venue for the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, where Italy triumphed over France, and the 2015 UEFA Champions League final, which saw Barcelona defeat Juventus. Beyond the final itself, the stadium was a key venue throughout EURO 2024, hosting three group stage matches, a round of 16 game, and a quarter-final, solidifying its importance in this edition of Euro football.
Which Euro Football Teams Competed in the 2024 Final?
The EURO 2024 final saw a clash of football titans: Spain and England. Spain, a nation steeped in Euro football history, entered the final with a legacy of three previous titles (1964, 2008, and 2012). Their victory in 2024 marked their fourth Euro title, making them the first team to achieve this milestone. This was Spain’s fifth appearance in a Euro final, with their only previous defeat in a final dating back to 1984 against France.
Alt text: Action shot from the Euro 2012 final, featuring Spanish players celebrating a goal against Italy, highlighting Spain’s historical success in Euro football.
England, on the other hand, were looking to end their wait for a major international trophy. Unfortunately for the Three Lions, they finished as runners-up for the second consecutive EURO tournament. Their previous final appearance was in EURO 2020, where they heartbreakingly lost to Italy on penalties at Wembley Stadium. Despite the defeat, reaching the final again underscored England’s growing presence in Euro football.
Has Olympiastadion Berlin Ever Hosted a Euro Final Before?
Interestingly, while Olympiastadion Berlin is a stadium with a long and storied football history, the EURO 2024 final was the first time it had ever hosted a Euro final. West Germany hosted the 1988 UEFA European Championship, but the final for that tournament was held in Munich’s Olympiastadion. In that 1988 final, the Netherlands emerged victorious, defeating the USSR 2-0.
Alt text: Historic photograph capturing the Netherlands’ Euro 1988 victory celebration against USSR, emphasizing a past Euro final and its result.
Who Was the Euro 2024 Final Referee?
The responsibility of officiating this crucial Euro football match fell to François Letexier from France. His selection as the referee for the UEFA EURO 2024 final is a testament to his reputation and experience in European football officiating.
Which Nation Has the Most Euro Football Final Wins?
With their victory in Berlin, Spain solidified their place as the most successful nation in the history of the UEFA European Championship. Their four titles put them ahead of Germany in terms of championships, although Germany has appeared in more Euro finals overall (six compared to Spain’s five).
Have Euro Hosts Ever Won the Final on Home Soil?
Historically, hosting a Euro final hasn’t always guaranteed victory. While some host nations have celebrated Euro football glory at home, others have faced disappointment. Spain (1964), Italy (1968), and France (1984) all achieved the coveted feat of winning the Euro final as host nations. However, there have also been instances where the home team fell short in the final. Portugal (2004), France (2016), and England (2020) all experienced the bitter taste of defeat in a Euro final played in their own country. Germany, as hosts of EURO 2024, were unfortunately eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals, meaning they could not add their name to either list in 2024.
What’s the Biggest Win in a Euro Final?
For those interested in records, the largest margin of victory in a Euro final is 4-0. This occurred when Spain defeated Italy in the EURO 2012 final held in Kyiv. This dominant performance remains a standout moment in Euro football final history.
Alt text: Image from the Euro 2012 final scoreboard displaying Spain’s decisive 4-0 victory over Italy, highlighting the record-breaking win in Euro football history.
What Was the Highest Scoring Euro Final?
In terms of total goals, two Euro finals share the record for the highest score: four goals. The aforementioned EURO 2012 final between Spain and Italy (4-0) is one example. The other is the 1976 final between West Germany and Czechoslovakia in Belgrade, which ended 2-2 after extra time. Czechoslovakia ultimately won that dramatic final 5-3 in a penalty shootout.
Which Players Have Won Both the Champions League and Euro in the Same Year?
Winning both the UEFA Champions League and the Euro final in the same summer is an incredibly rare achievement, highlighting the pinnacle of club and international Euro football success. Only a select group of players have accomplished this double:
1964: Luis Suárez (Inter Milan & Spain)
1988: Hans van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Berry van Aerle, Gerald Vanenburg (PSV Eindhoven & Netherlands)
2012: Fernando Torres, Juan Mata (Chelsea & Spain)
2016: Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe (Real Madrid & Portugal)
2020: Jorginho (Chelsea & Italy)
2024: Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Joselu (Real Madrid & Spain)
Which Players Have Played in Multiple Euro Finals?
Thirty-one players have the distinction of having played in two Euro finals. At EURO 2024, several England players, including Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka, joined this elite group after playing in both the 2020 and 2024 finals. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the longest gap between Euro final appearances, playing in the finals 12 years apart (2004 and 2016), showcasing incredible longevity in Euro football.
Alt text: Thumbnail image from Euro 2020 final highlights video, showing a tense moment during the Italy vs England penalty shootout, representing the drama of Euro football finals.
No player has scored more than twice in a single Euro final, but Fernando Torres (Spain) holds a unique record for scoring in two separate Euro finals (2008 and 2012). Berti Vogts (West Germany/Germany) is also unique, having won the Euro as both a player (1972 – non-playing squad member) and a coach (Germany 1996).
Where Have Euro Finals Been Hosted Historically?
The Euro final has traveled across Europe, being hosted in 14 different venues across 12 countries. The EURO 2024 final was the 17th in the history of the tournament. Here’s a list of host cities and stadiums:
1960: Parc des Princes, Paris (France)
1964: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid (Spain)
1968: Stadio Olimpico, Rome (Italy)
1972: Roi Baudouin, Brussels (Belgium)
1976: Stadion FK Crvena zvezda, Belgrade (Yugoslavia)
1980: Stadio Olimpico, Rome (Italy)
1984: Parc des Princes, Paris (France)
1988: Olympiastadion, Munich (Germany)
1992: Ullevi, Gothenburg (Sweden)
1996: Wembley Stadium, London (England)
2000: Feijenoord Stadium, Rotterdam (Netherlands)
2004: Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon (Portugal)
2008: Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna (Austria)
2012: NSK Olimpiyskyi, Kyiv (Ukraine)
2016: Stade de France, Saint-Denis (France)
2020: Wembley Stadium, London (England)
2024: Olympiastadion, Berlin (Germany)
Who Was the Mascot for EURO 2024 Euro Football?
Finally, no Euro football tournament is complete without a mascot! For EURO 2024, the mascot was Albärt, a friendly teddy bear with a mission to encourage children across Europe to be more active and engaged with football.
Alt text: Close-up of Albärt, the Euro 2024 mascot, a smiling teddy bear holding a football, symbolizing the fun and youthful spirit of Euro football.
