The BBC has confirmed its punditry and commentary team for the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain.
The England men’s team will attempt to finally end their 58-year wait for a major trophy and win the Euros for the first time when they face Spain in Berlin on Sunday night.
Gareth Southgate’s side underwhelmed during the group stages – failing to beat Denmark and Slovenia – before edging past Slovakia and Switzerland in tense knockout games.
England produced their best performance to date to knock out the Netherlands in the semi-finals but will likely need to take their game to another level to beat Spain and end 58 years of hurt.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain have enjoyed a flawless run to the Euros final, topping Group B with three straight wins before defeating Georgia, hosts Germany and World Cup finalists France.
Both the BBC and ITV will show the Euro 2024 final live and the former have confirmed their punditry and commentary teams for the showpiece event.
Gary Lineker will lead the coverage from Berlin’s Olympiastadion on BBC One from 6.30pm and be joined in the studio by ex-England defenders Rio Ferdinand and Micah Richards and special guest Juan Mata.
Mata, who enjoyed spells at English clubs Manchester United and Chelsea, won 41 caps for Spain and helped his country win the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship two years later.
Guy Mowbray and former England striker Alan Shearer will commentate on the game, while Alex Scott and Kelly Somers will be pitch-side soaking up all the atmosphere and anticipation for the historic game.
Ollie Watkins, who scored England’s last-minute winner against the Netherlands, spoke to the media on Friday afternoon, just over 48 hours before the Euro 2024 final gets underway.
‘I feel like we are very strong, Spain have had some tough games and had to come through a harder journey than us,’ the Aston Villa striker said.
‘They’ve had to beat the so-called bigger teams. I think they’ve been the best team in the tournament so far.
‘I was speaking to Harry Kane this morning at breakfast. I am trying to soak in all these moments as they don’t come around too often.
‘We’re in such a small bubble, you move on to the next thing. We were quickly back on the bus playing Uno [after the semi-final], ready for the next match.
‘Our focus is now on the final. It’s just back to base camp and keep focusing.’
Ex-England goalkeeper David Seaman, meanwhile, is desperate to see the Three Lions lift the trophy for Southgate, who has faced criticism throughout the tournament.
‘England are in the Euro 2024 final, and I’m delighted for Gareth Southgate,’ he told Betway.
‘We saw a big jump in performance against the Netherlands, and there are a lot of people who are going to eat some humble pie because the stick they were giving Gareth was a joke. He has ignored all the criticism and done it his way.
‘People have called on him to bring substitutes on earlier, but he makes changes when he feels they’re going to have an impact.
‘Bringing Luke Shaw on at half-time was a masterstroke because he gave us the width we miss when Kieran Trippier comes inside onto his right foot.
‘With Shaw on the left, we seemed a lot better. It will be interesting to see who Gareth goes with in the final.
‘I was surprised that Phil Foden came off in the second half, but Cole Palmer came on and set up Ollie Watkins’ winner. Gareth is making decisions that we’re not all seeing, and they’re paying off.
‘There have been no knee-jerk reactions. When I watch Gareth, it seems like he’s always in control, apart from his celebrations when he properly goes for it!
‘I think a lot of people have realised that they don’t know what they’re talking about. People were slating him, but we’ve now reached back-to-back European Championship finals.
‘Winning the tournament would put a cherry on top of the cake for Gareth as England manager, because what he’s built has been massive.’
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