Euro 2024 final: Spain head coach plays mind games with England before Berlin decider
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Luis de la Fuente has played down Spain's favourites tag ahead of Euro 2024 final with England (Credit: Imago)

Euro 2024 final: Spain head coach plays mind games with England before Berlin decider

Seye Omidiora 23:17 - 13.07.2024

Luis de la Fuente has tried to downplay his side’s superiority in the lead-up to Sunday’s European Championship final.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente insists there are "no favourites" in the European Championship final between his side and England.

Spain vs England

La Furia Roja have enjoyed a dominant run at Euro 2024, winning all six matches so far, including success over host nation Germany in the quarter-final stage and pre-tournament favourites France in the semi-final. 

The 2012 champions will face an England side that have been far less consistent at the finals, requiring a late Jude Bellingham equaliser against Slovakia in the last 16, defeating Switzerland on penalties in the quarter-finals and needing a late Ollie Watkins goal to beat the Netherlands. 

Luis de la Fuente
Luis de la Fuente, Spain head coach || Photo Credit: Imago

While the Three Lions enter Sunday’s final as underdogs, De la Fuente, speaking in his pre-match press conference, stated his belief that there is "no favourite" for the match, which he believes pits "the two best teams" of the tournament against each other.

"We expect a complicated match because we are two great teams, the best of the Euros," De la Fuente said.

"We are in a great moment, but I believe this will be a very balanced match. It is a final, and in finals, it is the details that define the matches.

"Many of our players have experience in these types of games, and we are approaching the final with peace of mind and pride.

"Reaching the final of a European Championship is a football milestone, and we really want to play this match. I see the players' faces, their spirit. These players have given everything for us.

"The enthusiasm that this team has generated is not something to be taken for granted. They have earned this and worked for it. Seeing a country fully behind this team is something wonderful."

What comes next?

Spain are keen to clinch their first European title since 2012 while England attempt to record a maiden triumph on the continent.