Walter Finch
WAYNE Rooney took a breather from his new role as Plymouth Argyle manager to give his verdict on the Euro 2024 final at a swanky event in Marbella.
The Manchester United legend jetted in to Spain with Coleen and the family to speak at the Clubhouse in La Sala restaurant in Puerto Banus.
Fresh from his appointment as boss of the Championship football club, Rooney recently stepped back from his punditry duties for the BBC during Euro 2024.
But he wasn’t shy in giving his opinion on England’s chances against a well-fancied Spain team in the showpiece final on Sunday.
While football stat-heads Opta have Spain’s chances of winning at 38% to England’s 31%, Rooney was more confident.
“I think England will win the game 2-1,” he declared.
“In the last game against the Netherlands, we played really well and we deserved to win.
“It’s going to be an exciting game, there will be a lot of young talent on the pitch.
“It will be a good game – a close game, but I think England might just nick it.”
The history books may not agree.
Spain have won the European Championship a record three times – including back-to-back wins in 2008 and 20012 – while England have never won it at all.
And La Roja have carried that spirit with them this tournament, swashbuckling their way through and winning all their games while scoring the most goals (13) and creating the most chances (96).
However, England will take heart from knowing that they have the players to win the game and their performances have improved as the tournament has worn on.
The match will kick off at 9pm on Sunday night and many towns on the Costa del Sol have set up big screens for Spanish and expat alike to watch the game together.
With Estepona, for example, home to around 20,000 foreigners among its community, there is sure to be a lively atmosphere during a match for the ages.
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.
