Walter Finch
FOOTBALL fever is sweeping through the Costa del Sol as many towns prepares to host a special event for the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England.
A giant screen will be installed in the Plaza del Ajedrez in Estepona with a live DJ performance that will kick off at 8pm – an hour before the match.
With Estepona home to around 20,000 foreigners among its community, there is sure to be a lively atmosphere during a match for the ages.
But Estepona is just one of many municipalities with a huge expat population, many of whom will be supporting England.
In Marbella, the big screen will be set up in the Parque de la Represa next to the castle right in the centre of town.
The flamenco fusion group Los Salvajes del Rebalaje will put on a show before the game in Fuengirola, shown on a big screen in the main street of the Recinto Ferial from 8.30pm.
Benalmadena will erect their screen down in the port, on the esplanade of La Noria.
In Alhaurin de la Torre, fans can catch the match thanks to a giant screen in the Parque Municipal de los Patos (Mirador de Bellavista).
In Malaga city, head down to the Cortijo de Torres Municipal Auditorium from 7pm for a raucous atmosphere. There are only 12,000 spaces so it might be worth reserving your spot.
The match itself will commence at 9pm, when Spain will face off against the English over 90 plus minutes of tense football.
Spanish silk and skill against English steel and grit. The Spanish against their biggest customer.
England’s 19-year-old prodigy Kobbie Mainoo against Spain’s even younger worldbeater Lamine Yamal – who only turns 17 on Saturday.
Yamal announced his name to the world with a brilliant 20 metre curler against France in the semis.
England clinched their own place in the final thanks to a 92nd minute winner against Holland from substitute Ollie Watkins (pictured) – the latest goal ever scored in a Euros knockout game in regular time.
After having rather limped through the tournament, they will face a Spain team that has blown away all comers, including heavyweights France and Germany.
The bookies will have Spain as heavy favourites to repeat the act against the English.
But the English will take heart from the fact that their performances have improved as the tournament has worn on. Will they be able to peak on one of the biggest stages of all?
So reserve yourself a table at your favourite terrace, pick which friends you’re going to watch it with wisely, and saddle up for a final that kicks off at 9pm at the Olympiastadion Berlin in Germany.
