The UEFA EURO 2024 culminated in a thrilling final held at the iconic Olympiastadion Berlin in Germany. Football fans around the globe eagerly anticipated this showdown. Let’s delve into the details of when and where this monumental final took place, which teams battled for the coveted title, and revisit some fascinating facts surrounding the Final Euro 2024 match.
When and Where Did the EURO 2024 Final Take Place?
The EURO 2024 final was played on Sunday, July 14th, bringing an end to a month-long festival of European football. The match kicked off at 21:00 CET, ensuring prime-time viewing for fans across the continent and beyond.
The stage for this epic clash was the Olympiastadion Berlin, the tournament’s largest stadium, boasting a seating capacity of 71,000 passionate supporters. This historic venue is the home ground of Hertha BSC Berlin, a team in the German second tier. Olympiastadion Berlin is steeped in football history, consistently hosting the German Cup final since 1985 and serving as a prominent venue for prestigious European and international fixtures. Notably, it was the site of 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 EURO 2024 match, Olympiastadion Berlin also hosted multiple key matches earlier in the tournament, including three group stage games, a round of 16 encounter, and a quarter-final match, solidifying its central role in EURO 2024. Berlin, as one of the vibrant EURO 2024 host cities, offered a spectacular backdrop for these high-stakes games.
Which Teams Competed in the EURO 2024 Final?
The EURO 2024 final witnessed a captivating contest between Spain and England. Spain, a powerhouse in European football with prior EURO triumphs in 1964, 2008, and 2012, entered the final with a chance to make history. Their victory in the final EURO 2024 match indeed secured their place as the first team to win four EURO titles, marking their fifth appearance in a EURO final. Their only previous final defeat was against France in the 1984 tournament.
England, on the other hand, were seeking their first-ever EURO title. Reaching the final EURO 2024 match marked their second consecutive EURO final appearance, following their heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Italy in the EURO 2020 final at Wembley Stadium. This EURO 2024 final represented England’s quest to overcome past disappointments and claim their maiden European Championship trophy.
Was the EURO 2024 Final the First EURO Final Hosted in Olympiastadion Berlin?
Interestingly, while Germany has a rich football history, the EURO 2024 final was indeed the first time Olympiastadion Berlin hosted a EURO final. West Germany previously hosted the 1988 UEFA European Championship, but the final match that year was held in Munich’s Olympiastadion, where the Netherlands defeated the USSR 2-0. Therefore, the EURO 2024 final marked a historic first for Berlin’s iconic stadium in staging the ultimate match of the European Championship.
Who Officiated the EURO 2024 Final as Referee?
The responsibility of refereeing the high-pressure EURO 2024 final fell upon François Letexier from France. His selection to officiate the final EURO 2024 match underscores his reputation and experience as a top-level referee in European football. Refereeing a major final like the EURO is a significant honor and reflects the trust placed in Letexier’s officiating abilities.
Which Nation Holds the Record for Most EURO Final Appearances and Wins?
With their victory in the EURO 2024 final, Spain cemented their status as the most successful nation in the history of the UEFA European Championship. Their fourth title win in Berlin surpassed Germany’s record in terms of titles won. While Germany has participated in six EURO finals in total, Spain’s fifth final appearance at EURO 2024 resulted in their record-breaking fourth victory.
Have Host Nations Ever Achieved Victory in a EURO Final?
Throughout EURO history, several host nations have experienced the joy of winning the final on their home turf. Spain (1964), Italy (1968), and France (1984) all celebrated EURO final victories as host countries. However, the pressure of playing at home can also be a burden, as evidenced by instances where host nations have been defeated in the final. Portugal (2004), France (2016), and England (2020) all faced disappointment as they lost the EURO final while hosting the tournament or co-hosting in England’s case in 2020. In EURO 2024, host nation Germany’s journey ended in the quarter-finals against Spain, the eventual champions.
What Was the Most Decisive Victory in a EURO Final?
The EURO 2024 final may have been a closely contested affair, but the record for the biggest win in a EURO final belongs to Spain’s dominant 4-0 victory over Italy in the EURO 2012 final held in Kyiv. This commanding performance showcased Spain’s golden generation at their peak and remains the most emphatic scoreline in a EURO final.
Which EURO Final Saw the Highest Number of Goals?
While Spain’s 4-0 win in 2012 was a dominant scoreline, the highest-scoring EURO finals have seen a total of four goals. The EURO 2012 final between Spain and Italy is one example. The other instance is the 1976 final between West Germany and Czechoslovakia in Belgrade, which ended 2-2 after extra time. Czechoslovakia ultimately prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout, winning 5-3.
Which Players Achieved the Rare Feat of Winning Both the UEFA Champions League and EURO Final in the Same Summer?
The summer of 2024 saw several players join an exclusive club of individuals who have won both the European Cup/UEFA Champions League and a EURO final in the same year. The players achieving this incredible double in 2024 were Dani Carvajal, Nacho, and Joselu (all Real Madrid and Spain). Throughout history, ten players in total have accomplished this feat:
1964: Luis Suárez (Inter & 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 the Distinction of Playing in Multiple EURO Finals?
The EURO 2024 final saw several players enter the esteemed list of those who have played in multiple EURO finals. England’s Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka all joined this group, having also participated in the EURO 2020 final. Among these players, Jude Bellingham was also part of the 2020 squad as an unused substitute. The record for the longest gap between EURO final appearances belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo, who played in finals 12 years apart (2004 and 2016).
Regarding goal-scoring records in EURO finals, no player has scored more than twice. Fernando Torres (Spain, 2008 and 2012) holds the unique record of scoring in two separate EURO finals. Berti Vogts (West Germany 1972, Germany 1996) holds a different kind of distinction, being the only person to have won the EURO as both a player and a coach, although he was a non-playing squad member in the 1972 final.
Where Have EURO Finals Been Hosted Throughout History?
The EURO final has traveled across Europe, being hosted in 14 different venues across 12 countries. The EURO 2024 final marked the 17th EURO final in the tournament’s history. The venues are:
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 Official Mascot for EURO 2024?
The EURO 2024 mascot was Albärt, a friendly teddy bear whose mission was to encourage children throughout Europe to be more active. Albärt became a recognizable and beloved symbol of the EURO 2024 tournament.
In conclusion, the EURO 2024 final was a momentous occasion, filled with historical significance and thrilling football action. From the iconic Olympiastadion Berlin to Spain’s record-breaking victory and the numerous fascinating facts surrounding the event, the final EURO 2024 match will be remembered as a highlight in European Championship history.
