The UEFA EURO 2024 tournament culminated in a thrilling final match, and for fans worldwide, the burning question was: Where Is The Euro Final being held? The answer is the iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany. On Sunday, July 14th, football history was written in this legendary stadium as the EURO 2024 final kicked off at 21:00 CET, captivating audiences globally.
Olympiastadion Berlin: The Grand Stage for the EURO 2024 Final
Olympiastadion Berlin, the largest stadium selected for the tournament, with a staggering capacity of 71,000 spectators, served as the esteemed venue for the EURO 2024 final. This historic stadium is not new to hosting monumental sporting events. As the home ground for Hertha BSC Berlin, a prominent team in the German second-tier league, Olympiastadion is deeply embedded in German football culture. Since 1985, it has been the consistent host of every German Cup final, further cementing its place in national football heritage.
Beyond domestic competitions, Olympiastadion Berlin has frequently been chosen for prestigious European and international matches. Notably, it was the stage for the 2006 FIFA World Cup final, a memorable clash between Italy and France. More recently, in 2015, the stadium hosted the UEFA Champions League final where Barcelona triumphed over Juventus, adding another glorious chapter to its sporting legacy.
For EURO 2024, Olympiastadion’s role extended beyond the final. It proudly hosted three crucial group stage matches, a high-stakes round of 16 game, and a pivotal quarter-final, showcasing its capability to manage top-tier international football events throughout the tournament. Berlin, as one of the vibrant EURO 2024 host cities, provided the perfect backdrop for these thrilling matches, culminating in the final showdown.
Spain Against England: A Battle for European Championship Glory
The EURO 2024 final featured a compelling contest between two football powerhouses: Spain and England. Spain, a nation steeped in footballing tradition, entered the final with a remarkable history in the European Championship. Having already claimed victory in 1964, 2008, and 2012, Spain was aiming to become the first team to secure five EURO titles. Their journey to the EURO 2024 final marked their fifth appearance in a EURO decider, with their only previous final defeat dating back to the 1984 competition against France.
England, on the other hand, was seeking to end a long wait for a major international trophy. Reaching the EURO 2024 final meant they were runners-up for the second consecutive EURO tournament. In the previous EURO 2020 final, played at their home ground of Wembley Stadium, England faced a heartbreaking defeat against Italy in a penalty shootout. This EURO 2024 final was only England’s second ever appearance in a European Championship final, adding immense pressure and anticipation to their quest for victory in Berlin.
Olympiastadion’s First EURO Final: A New Chapter in History
While Olympiastadion Berlin boasts a rich history of hosting major football events, the EURO 2024 final marked a significant first for the venue – it was the first time Olympiastadion had ever hosted a European Championship final. Historically, when West Germany hosted the 1988 UEFA European Championship, the final match was held in Munich’s Olympiastadion, not in Berlin. In that 1988 final, the Netherlands secured a 2-0 victory against the USSR. Therefore, EURO 2024 etched a new chapter into Olympiastadion Berlin’s illustrious story, adding the EURO final to its impressive list of hosted events.
The Man in the Middle: François Letexier Refereed the Final
The responsibility of officiating the high-stakes EURO 2024 final fell to François Letexier from France. As the referee, Letexier played a crucial role in ensuring fair play and maintaining control throughout this pivotal match, bringing his expertise to one of the most important fixtures in European football.
Spain’s Record-Breaking EURO Triumph
With their victory in Berlin, Spain cemented their place as the most successful nation in the history of the UEFA European Championship. The EURO 2024 win was Spain’s fourth title, surpassing Germany in total championship victories. Germany, despite their strong football heritage, has featured in six EURO finals in total, highlighting Spain’s consistent success in recent decades. Spain’s fifth final appearance at EURO 2024 further underscores their dominance in the competition.
Host Nation Advantage? Not Always in EURO Finals
While playing at home can be an advantage, history shows mixed results for host nations in EURO finals. Three host countries have celebrated EURO final victories on their own soil: Spain in 1964, Italy in 1968, and France in 1984. However, the pressure of home expectation has also led to disappointment for hosts on three occasions. Portugal in 2004, France in 2016, and England in 2020 all experienced the bitter taste of defeat in a EURO final played at home. Germany, the EURO 2024 host nation, did not reach the final, having been eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals, demonstrating that home advantage is not a guaranteed path to EURO glory.
Biggest and Highest-Scoring EURO Finals: A Look at Records
When examining EURO final history, some matches stand out for their scorelines. The EURO 2012 final witnessed the biggest victory margin, with Spain decisively defeating Italy 4-0 in Kyiv. In terms of goals, two EURO finals share the record for the highest score. The EURO 2012 final between Spain and Italy again makes the list with its 4-0 scoreline. Additionally, the 1976 final between West Germany and Czechoslovakia was also a high-scoring affair, ending 2-2 after extra time before Czechoslovakia prevailed 5-3 in a penalty shootout in Belgrade.
Champions League and EURO Champions in the Same Season
An elite group of footballers have achieved the rare feat of winning both the UEFA Champions League and the EURO final in the same summer. Ten players have accomplished this double triumph:
- 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)
The EURO 2024 final saw Dani Carvajal, Nacho, and Joselu join this prestigious list, adding to Real Madrid’s and Spain’s celebrated footballing histories.
Multiple EURO Final Appearances: An Exclusive Club
Thirty-one players have the distinction of playing in two EURO finals. The EURO 2024 final saw several England players – Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Luke Shaw, Declan Rice, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka – join this exclusive group, having also played in the EURO 2020 final. Cristiano Ronaldo holds a unique record, appearing in EURO finals 12 years apart (2004 and 2016), showcasing incredible longevity at the highest level. Fernando Torres stands alone as the only player to score in two separate EURO finals (2008 and 2012). Berti Vogts holds a different kind of distinction, having won the EURO as both a player (non-playing squad member in 1972) and as a coach (Germany 1996).
EURO Final Venues Through the Years: A Pan-European History
The EURO final has traveled across Europe, being hosted in 14 different venues across 12 countries. The EURO 2024 final in Berlin was the 17th EURO final in the tournament’s history. The list of host cities reflects the pan-European nature of the competition:
- 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: EURO 2024 Mascot Cheered On the Finalists
Adding to the festive atmosphere of EURO 2024 was Albärt, the friendly teddy bear mascot. Albärt’s mission throughout the tournament was to encourage children across Europe to embrace movement and activity, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship and healthy living, and was surely cheering from the sidelines at the final in Berlin.
In conclusion, the EURO 2024 final’s location was the prestigious Olympiastadion Berlin, a venue steeped in football history. This iconic stadium witnessed a thrilling final between Spain and England on July 14th, 2024, adding another momentous chapter to its legacy and to the annals of European Championship history.
