Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman previews Euro 2024 final clash between England and Spain
Ronald Koeman has made his prediction for the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain. The Netherlands boss believes the Three Lions can beat La Roja to lift the trophy this Sunday, July 14.
England emphatically beat the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-finals on Wednesday, July 10. Gareth Southgate's side went 1-0 down within the first seven minutes after Xavi Simons found the back of the net with an excellent finish from just outside the box.
The Three Lions were awarded a controversial penalty just nine minutes later after Denzel Dumfries was deemed to have fouled Harry Kane in the box. The Bayern Munich star stepped up to the spot and fired it home to level the scoreline.
It seemed as though the Euro 2024 semi-final clash would move on to extra time. This was until Ollie Watkins, who replaced Kane in the second half, scored the winner for England in the 90th minute. His heroics have earned the Three Lions advancement to the finals, where they will face Spain.
After his side's defeat, Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman said (via The Mirror):
"England showed great football in the first half after being 1-0 down. It’s football. If you watch all the matches of the Spanish national team they are more offensive with wingers and [playing] football from the back and ball position and you need to stop that."
He added:
“But England are in the final and have the possibility to win it. Maybe from the outside because Spain are playing from a high level [they are favourites] but England can stop them, why not.”
Olympiastadion Berlin will host the final clash on Sunday.
"We’re going to have to be exceptional" - Gareth Southgate raises 'concern' and previews Euro 2024 final between England and Spain
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate has lavished praise on Spain's press while previewing the Euro 2024 final. The English manager believes La Roja have been the best team at the tournament this year.
Luis de la Fuente's men have been in extraordinary form in Germany this year. They have gone unbeaten the entire tournament, winning every single game so far, including their extra-time win over Germany.
Spain beat France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, courtesy of goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo. La Roja played their fixture a day before England's game against the Netherlands, and Southgate believes the extra day is a concern for his side.
He said:
"It’s not as simple as us having the ball and making them run. They press very, very well, so we’re going to have to be exceptional with the ball, and we’re going to have to be exceptional without it. But it’s a final, you expect it to be that way here. They (Spain) have been the best team. We’re starting to show a better version of ourselves. The extra day is a concern.
"In the last few tournaments, that has been a problem for finalists, so we’ve got to do the very best we can to recover the players as well as we can."
The Three Lions are looking to win their first-ever Euros while La Roja have won three in the past.