The UEFA EURO 2024 final was a highly anticipated event for football fans across the globe. Played on Sunday, July 14th, the match officially kicked off at 9:00 PM Central European Time (CET). Let’s delve into the details of this significant match, including its location, the teams involved, and some interesting historical facts surrounding the EURO final.
Location of the EURO 2024 Final: Olympiastadion Berlin
The prestigious Olympiastadion Berlin in Germany was chosen as the venue for the EURO 2024 final. As the largest stadium in the tournament, it boasts a seating capacity of 71,000, making it an ideal location for such a high-profile match. This iconic stadium is the home ground of Hertha BSC Berlin and regularly hosts the German Cup final since 1985. Olympiastadion Berlin has a rich history of hosting major sporting events, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup final and the 2015 UEFA Champions League final where Barcelona triumphed over Juventus.
Beyond the final, Olympiastadion Berlin was a key venue throughout EURO 2024, hosting three group stage matches, a round of 16 game, and a quarter-final, further cementing its status as a central hub for the tournament.
Who Played in the EURO 2024 Final? Spain vs. England
The EURO 2024 final saw a clash between two football powerhouses: Spain and England. Spain, with a storied history in the competition, entered the final as three-time champions (1964, 2008, and 2012). Their victory in 2024 marked their fourth title, making them the first team to achieve this feat and solidifying their position as the most successful nation in EURO history. This was Spain’s fifth EURO final appearance, with their only previous defeat in a final dating back to 1984 against France.
England, on the other hand, were looking to secure their first EURO title. Having been runners-up in the previous EURO 2020 final against Italy, this was their second consecutive final appearance and their first-ever EURO final before 2020.
Was it the First EURO Final in Olympiastadion Berlin?
Interestingly, while Germany has a strong footballing tradition and hosted the 1988 UEFA European Championship, the EURO 2024 final was the first time Olympiastadion Berlin hosted a EURO final. The 1988 final, where the Netherlands defeated the USSR, was held in Munich. This historical fact adds another layer of significance to Berlin’s hosting of the 2024 final.
Refereeing the EURO 2024 Final
The responsibility of officiating such a crucial match fell to François Letexier from France. His appointment as the referee for the EURO 2024 final highlighted his esteemed position within European refereeing circles.
EURO Final Success: Spain Leads the Way
With their victory in Berlin, Spain became the most successful nation in the history of the UEFA European Championship, securing their fourth title. Germany follows closely, having appeared in six finals, though with fewer victories. Spain’s fifth final appearance at EURO 2024 further demonstrates their consistent presence at the pinnacle of European football.
Host Nation Advantage in EURO Finals
Historically, host nations have experienced mixed fortunes in EURO finals. Spain (1964), Italy (1968), and France (1984) have all won the EURO final as hosts. However, there have been instances where host nations have faced disappointment on home turf, with Portugal (2004), France (2016), and England (2020) losing the final in their own country. Germany, as the EURO 2024 host, was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Spain, continuing this unpredictable trend.
Biggest and Highest Scoring EURO Finals
The largest victory margin in a EURO final is 4-0, achieved by Spain against Italy in the EURO 2012 final held in Kyiv. This dominant performance stands as a record in EURO final history.
In terms of goals, the highest-scoring EURO finals have seen four goals. This occurred in two finals: Spain’s 4-0 win against Italy in 2012 and the 1976 final between West Germany and Czechoslovakia, which ended 2-2 after extra time, with Czechoslovakia winning 5-3 in a penalty shootout.
Champions League and EURO Final Double Winners
A select group of players have achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the European Cup/UEFA Champions League and the EURO final in the same summer. The EURO 2024 saw Dani Carvajal, Nacho, and Joselu of Real Madrid and Spain join this elite list. Other notable players who have accomplished this double include:
- 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)
Multiple EURO Final Appearances
Thirty-one players have the distinction of playing 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 after also playing in the EURO 2020 final. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the longest gap between EURO final appearances, playing in the finals of 2004 and 2016.
Fernando Torres is unique for scoring in two separate EURO finals (2008 and 2012). Berti Vogts stands out for winning the EURO as both a player (1972) and a coach (Germany 1996).
EURO Final Host Cities Through History
The EURO final has been hosted in 14 different venues across 12 countries. The EURO 2024 final in Berlin marked the 17th EURO final in history. The venues include iconic stadiums across Europe, showcasing the pan-European nature of the tournament.
List of EURO Final Host Venues:
- 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)
Albärt: The EURO 2024 Mascot
Finally, no EURO tournament is complete without its mascot. For EURO 2024, it was Albärt, a friendly teddy bear. Albärt’s mission throughout the tournament was to encourage children across Europe to be active and embrace the spirit of football.
In conclusion, the EURO 2024 final, held on July 14th at Olympiastadion Berlin, was a momentous occasion filled with history, thrilling competition, and memorable moments, adding another chapter to the rich tapestry of European football.
