Spain slight favourites for Euro success over fast improving England

BERLIN : Slick-looking Spain go up against belatedly blossoming England in a mouth-watering conclusion to the European Championship on Sunday as the final promises a fitting finish to a month of absorbing action across Germany.

Both teams came into the tournament with valid ambitions of making it all the way to the decider at Berlin’s Olympiastadion and six matches later have achieved their aim, albeit in contrasting fashion.

Spain must be considered slight favourites, given how elegantly and efficiently they have surged to the final, winning their games inside 90 minutes except their extra time success over the hosts in the quarter-final and scoring 13 goals in the process.

The clinical contributions of 16-year-old ‘wunderkind’ Lamine Yamal have added a fairytale edge to their progress but collectively they have looked the best team on display.

England, by contrast, were just minutes away from embarrassing elimination in their last 16 tie against Slovakia, rescued by a brilliant stoppage time equaliser from Spain-based Jude Bellingham.

But to their credit they have emerged from a groggy start to grit their way through, emerging triumphant over the Netherlands in Wednesday's semi-final with a reminder of their quality and potential, and with a new-found vigour to take to the decider.

It will be England’s second successive Euros final, after Italy edged them on penalties in the final at Wembley three years ago, but a first ever appearance in a major tournament final outside of Britain.

They have not won anything but the 1966 World Cup, adding to both the motivation and pressure that now sits heavily on Gareth Southgate and his team.

Spain are three-time European champions, have also won a World Cup and took the Nations League