Updated Jul. 11, 2024 1:05 p.m. ET
After a thrilling UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, the final is set to be a classic encounter between Spain and England. Football fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating this clash, and naturally, attention turns to the Euro Odds to gauge who the bookmakers favor for lifting the trophy.
Spain booked their place in the final after a compelling 2-1 victory over France in Tuesday’s semi-final. Despite conceding an early goal in the 8th minute, Spain showcased their resilience and tactical prowess to overturn the deficit. The standout moment of the match was the stunning equalizer from 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal.
Yamal’s incredible strike from outside the box in the 21st minute not only leveled the score but also etched his name in history. At just 16 years and 362 days old, he became the youngest player ever to score in a Euros or World Cup match, surpassing the legendary Pelé’s long-standing record. Dani Olmo further solidified Spain’s lead just four minutes later, scoring in the 25th minute. Spain then demonstrated their defensive solidity, successfully weathering a strong French attack to secure their passage to the final. This victory also marked a historical milestone for Spain, becoming the first team to win six consecutive matches in a single Euro tournament.
Meanwhile, England’s journey to the final was equally dramatic, culminating in a 2-1 win against the Netherlands. Mirroring the Spain-France semi-final, England also conceded early, with Xavi Simons netting a fantastic goal for the Netherlands in the 7th minute. However, England responded swiftly, with Harry Kane converting a penalty in the 18th minute to equalize. The game remained tightly contested until the 90th minute when Ollie Watkins, coming off the bench, scored a crucial winning goal. Watkins’ late strike was only the second 90th-minute winning goal in a Euro knockout match that was tied, highlighting the tension and excitement of the semi-final.
Ollie Watkins scores the winning goal against the Netherlands
Turning our attention to the euro odds for the final, provided by DraftKings Sportsbook as of July 10, we can see how the betting markets are positioning these two football giants:
ODDS TO WIN UEFA EURO 2024:
- Spain: -155 (Bet $10 to win $16.45 total)
- England: +120 (Bet $10 to win $22 total)
These euro odds indicate that Spain is considered the favorite to win Euro 2024, although England are close behind and certainly within striking distance. The negative odds for Spain (-155) suggest a higher probability of them winning in the eyes of the bookmakers, while the positive odds for England (+120) offer a potentially higher return for bettors who believe in the Three Lions.
Looking back at the history of the UEFA Euro Championship, both Spain and England have tasted success, but Spain boasts a richer history in the competition. Spain has won the Euro title three times (1964, 2008, 2012), while England is still seeking their first Euro trophy, having come close as runners-up in 2020.
Here’s a list of the previous UEFA Euro champions for historical context:
- 2020: Italy def. England
- 2016: Portugal def. France
- 2012: Spain def. Italy
- 2008: Spain def. Germany
- 2004: Greece def. Portugal
- 2000: France def. Italy
- 1996: Germany def. Czech Republic
- 1992: Denmark def. Germany
- 1988: Netherlands def. Soviet Union
- 1984: France def. Spain
- 1980: West Germany def. Belgium
- 1976: Czechoslovakia def. West Germany
- 1972: West Germany def. Soviet Union
- 1968: Italy def. Yugoslavia
- 1964: Spain def. Soviet Union
- 1960: Soviet Union def. Yugoslavia
As the final approaches, the euro odds provide an interesting perspective on the expected outcome. Spain’s historical pedigree and impressive semi-final performance have made them slight favorites, but England’s strong team and dramatic win against the Netherlands mean this final is far from predictable. Football fans can expect a captivating and closely contested match as Spain and England battle it out for the Euro 2024 title.
