July 14 – Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has called on his team to make history as excitement builds ahead of tonight’s Euro 2024 final against England.La Roja are aiming to win a record fourth European Championship 12 years after they last lifted the trophy. Spain have been the tournament’s great entertainers on the road to Berlin.
“We want to start to make history — and we have made history already in the run to (the final)… I trust in a great future, there’s both present and future,” de la Fuente said.
The current side has fewer stars than the team which won the 2008 and 2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup but unity has been a key component.
Despite scraping through, England have improved with each game and have considerable momentum and De la Fuente said the clash at the Olympiastadion will be “extremely balanced.”
“Whichever team manages to impose their strengths, whoever makes less errors (will win) but you can win a one-off game, even playing far worse (than your opponent).
“We need to have maximum concentration, not make any mistakes and take advantage of the chances we have — put them away.”
Injured pair Pedri and Ayoze Pérez are the only players unavailable, meaning captain Alvaro Morata is fit. Morata was limping after the semifinal win over France when he was knocked to the ground in the post-match celebrations by a steward trying to stop a pitch invader. Right back Dani Carvajal returns from suspension.With Spain’s teenage wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico William gaining many of the plaudits, at the other end of the age spectrum is 38-year-old defender Jesus Navas
“In (Spain’s golden years) we were such a close-knit group, and you could feel it,” said Navas who won the 2010 World Cup, 2012 Euros and the 2023 Nations League with his clntry.
Now it’s the same, there’s an incredible group. I’m delighted by everything that’s happening to us. We know the excitement and hope that we all have and I hope we can win it.”
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