While we sit and wait patiently in this country for our favorite football teams to open training camp, the “football” being played across the Atlantic is preparing for championship weekend. At the European soccer championships in Berlin on Sunday, Spain will try to win its fourth European title, and England makes its second consecutive try at winning its first.
Spain the Championship Favorite
Spain was the only team to emerge from group play with three wins, and in the knockout stages, they had convincing wins over Georgia and France. The one big test for the Spanish team was their extra time win over Germany, which came with a controversial non-call that the German fans continued to protest through Spain’s semifinal win over the French.
Outside of that, Spain has clearly been the best team in the tournament, and the most entertaining team. Spain is -150 to win on Sunday, and +145 to win the match in regular time. A 90-minute draw is paying +185, and an England win in regular time is +240. A championship for England is paying +110.
Three years ago, England was in the final at Wembley Stadium, with a chance to claim its first European title. But that match ended with an Italy win on penalties, ending England’s best run at the Euros. Now they are back in the final after struggling through each of their six matches.
England trailed in its three group matches, and only managed to win one. They needed a stoppage time goal against Slovakia in the first knockout match, a late goal against Switzerland in the quarterfinals to force penalties, and a winner in the 90th minute against the Netherlands in the semis.
England has been living on the edge, but they have survived and advanced better than anyone on their side of the bracket. And now, here they are, just one more win away from their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
Spain Going for Record Fourth Title
The home fans in Germany are still a little miffed at losing to Spain, and there is another reason that many in Germany might be rooting against Spain and for England on Sunday. At the moment, Spain and Germany are tied with three European titles each. Germany won the Euros in 1972, 1980, and 1996. Spain won the trophy in 1964, 2008, and 2012.
A win for Spain over England gives them four European titles, and three wins in the last five tournaments. Spain is the only team to win back-to-back Euros, and a fourth win would move them past Germany for the most total titles.
The final match between England and Spain is Sunday, July 14, at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.
With over 25 years of experience as a distinguished sports writer for renowned platforms such as Fox Sports and ESPN, Kyle Garlett is a sports betting specialist who has been at the forefront of documenting the global surge in sports betting and online gaming. Based in Denver, Colorado, Kyle hosts an NFL betting YouTube show and podcast. Kyle also has two sports books published by HarperCollins.
Kyle graduated the Azusa Pacific University in 1996 with a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism.
