The Under-21 footballers of Spain and England had no time to celebrate after their emphatic semi-final victories on Wednesday. Rest, prepare, get back on track: just three days later, on Saturday (6 p.m./live ticker on sportschau.de), the final of the European Championship will take place in Batumi, Georgia. The two best teams of the tournament meet – a duel at eye level.
Spain, who didn’t give Ukraine a chance 5-1 in the semifinals, can surpass Italy with their sixth European title and become the sole record holder. England (3-0 against Israel) are looking to end their 39-year losing streak, with the Young Lions winning their only two tournaments in 1982 and 1984.
Spain’s last triumph was only four years ago, when the Toros Rojos won the final against Germany. Now Spain wants to dethrone the defending champion again, is in the EM final for the ninth time and for the fifth time in the last seven editions.
England have not conceded a goal in the tournament so far
If anything, England are the slight favourites, are almost twice as strong as Spain (230) in terms of total market value at around €425m and have won every game without conceding a goal en route to the final. A feat that only Spain had managed to do when they won the title in 2013. The direct comparison on the European Championship stage also speaks for England: three wins, one draw, 6-1 goals.
“We need to improve again to win the title”said Spain coach Santi Denia. “The statistics speak for themselves”England striker Curtis Jones from Liverpool also knows: “We don’t give away any chances, we’re well organised. The final will obviously be tough, but we’re ready.”
There is no outstanding individual player, both teams come through the collective and have already set the EM record of seven different goal scorers. But one star is missing: England’s midfield engine Jacob Ramsey. Aston Villa’s 42 million man missed the semifinals with an ankle injury.
The expected lineups
England: 1 Trafford – 14 Garner, 5 Harwood-Bellis, 4 Colwill, 3 Thomas – 10 Smith Rowe, 17 Jones, 21 Gomes, 20 Palmer – 7 Gibbs-White, 11 Gordon
Spain: 1 Tenas – 2 Victor Gomez, 14 Paredes, 5 Pacheco, 3 Miranda – 6 Blanco, 16 Alex Baena – 8 Sancet – 10 Rodri, 9 Ruiz, 17 Sergio Gomez