‘England play terrible football’ – who do neutral fans want to win final?
After 50 matches in 30 days, it all comes down to two teams as England and Spain contest the Euro 2024 final on Sunday. Spain has consistently impressed so far in Germany, winning all of their games without needing penalties en route to the final. England, meanwhile, started slowly but have made it to the last game of the European Championship for the second successive tournament.
Their own teams may have been knocked out, but fans from all over the continent are still in Berlin to soak up the atmosphere before Sunday. BBC Sport spoke to some of them to find out who they think will – or want to – win.
- Neutral fans prefer Spain to win the final over England due to England’s unattractive and terrible style of football.
- Some fans believe that England’s lack of humility and likability affects their support from neutral spectators.
- Gareth Southgate’s management style is criticized for contributing to England’s unimpressive football performance.
- Despite England making it to the final, some neutral fans are rooting for Spain because they have played the best football in the tournament.
- A Dutch fan supports Spain over England after the Netherlands’ loss in the semi-final, attributing their defeat to defensive play and controversial decisions.
‘England’s football is not attractive to watch’
Michel, a German fan, expressed his preference for Spain to win the final. He explained that while he initially hoped for the Netherlands to take the trophy, he now believes Spain is the better choice because “English football is not that attractive to watch.” He acknowledges that England has some talented players, including Harry Kane, but feels some of them need to be “more down to earth.” He believes that more people would be rooting for England if they displayed a more humble and likable attitude. Despite his criticisms, Michel predicts a 2-1 victory for Spain.
Matty, another German fan, echoed Michel’s sentiments, arguing that “England play terrible football” due to Gareth Southgate’s management style. Matty also expressed dislike for some of the English players, claiming he doesn’t want them to win and become “cocky on social media.” He anticipates a low-scoring, uninspiring final, predicting a 2-1 win for either side.
‘England beat us, so we want Spain to win’
Ole, a Dutch fan, expressed his support for Spain, stating that “Spain have played the best football until now.” He attributes this preference to the Netherlands’ loss to England in the semi-final, making it a matter of supporting the opposing team. He criticizes the Dutch performance in the first half against England, pointing out their overly defensive approach and lack of risk-taking. Ole attributes their defeat to this strategy and the controversial penalty awarded to England. Despite the disappointing result, Ole and his friend are still enjoying their trip to Berlin, their holiday for the year.
Ole believes that the final will be drawn after extra time, with neither side willing to take risks. He predicts a Spanish victory in the subsequent penalty shootout. His prediction reflects the cautious, defensive nature of the English team under Southgate, a characteristic that many find unappealing.
‘It would be nice for England after 50 years without a trophy’
Enrico, another German fan, believes that England played better in the semi-final against the Netherlands, but acknowledges their inconsistent performance throughout the tournament. He acknowledges that any team could win in a one-off game but predicts a 3-1 victory for Spain. He finds it “nice” that England could potentially win after over 50 years without a major trophy, but believes it will be a difficult task against the strong Spanish side.
Enrico criticizes Southgate’s overly defensive tactics, stating that he “is too defensive with so many good attacking players.” He admires Southgate’s ability to reach the final but remains skeptical about England’s chances against a more attacking and dynamic Spanish team. This criticism highlights a common sentiment among neutral fans, who find England’s playing style under Southgate uninspiring and potentially limiting.
‘Big fan of Yamal and Spain play better football’
Daniele and his son Flavio, Italy fans, are both rooting for Spain. Flavio, a big fan of Lamine Yamal, admires their playing style, calling them the “best team in this European Championship.” They both prefer Spain’s style of play and enjoy watching the Spanish team, who have impressed with their attacking prowess and technical abilities. Flavio also being a Barcelona fan, adds to their preference for the Spanish team. While acknowledging the talent of English players like Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Kobbie Mainoo, they still believe Spain will win 2-0.
Their support for Spain reflects the general perception of Spain as the more entertaining and skillful team in the tournament. The young Italian fans’ admiration for Yamal and Barcelona’s players further strengthens their preference for the Spanish team. This preference showcases Spain’s appeal to fans beyond their national borders, highlighting their captivating style of play and talented players.
‘Spain have played better football than England’
Louisa, a German fan, also predicts a Spanish victory. She sees a win for Spain as a consolation for Germany’s loss to them, allowing them to say “OK, we lost to the team that won the European Championship.” Though she acknowledges Germany’s good performance against Spain, she believes the referee missed a crucial handball that could have changed the outcome of the match. While she acknowledges the possibility of an upset, Louisa believes Spain’s superior football throughout the tournament makes them the more likely winner.
Louisa’s perspective reflects the common sentiment among neutral fans who see Spain as the team that has played the more entertaining and effective football throughout the tournament. Her desire for Spain to win provides a sense of closure for Germany’s defeat, allowing them to accept their loss with a bit more pride. This showcases the emotional and psychological impact of a team’s performance on neutral fans.
‘Spain have been the most entertaining side at the Euros’
Anders, a Denmark supporter, while not particularly impressed with Denmark’s performance in the tournament, leans towards supporting Spain. He believes Spain has played the “most entertaining football” during the Euros, making them his preferred choice. However, he is open to an England victory if they can replicate their strong performance in the semi-final. Ultimately, Anders wants to see the deserving winner.
His son, August, a big fan of Phil Foden, wants England to win. This highlights the influence of individual players on fan preferences, even for neutral supporters. Anders’s balanced and open-minded approach reflects the complexities of supporting a team in a tournament where national pride and individual admiration play a significant role.
‘We don’t like Spain because they beat Germany’
Benjamin and his son Fabian, Germany fans, are rooting for England. They cite Harry Kane’s talent as the English player, and their dislike for Spain due to their defeat against Germany, as reasons for their preference. They believe that this is England’s “second final after the last Euros,” making it a good opportunity for them to win. They predict a comfortable 3-0 victory for England, with Harry Kane scoring twice and Jude Bellingham scoring once. Their prediction reflects their strong belief in England’s potential for success, despite their earlier criticisms of the team’s performance.
Their preference for England highlights the emotional and nationalistic factors that influence fan choices. Their dislike for Spain, stemming from Germany’s defeat, demonstrates the impact of rivalry and past encounters on fan preferences. While their prediction for a comfortable victory reflects their optimism, it also reflects the unpredictable nature of a final match.
The varied opinions and preferences of neutral fans highlight the complexity of supporting a team in a major tournament. While some fans are swayed by a team’s style of play, others are influenced by national pride, individual player admiration, or even past rivalries. The Euro 2024 final is set to be a thrilling contest, with plenty of storylines and narratives to follow. As the game approaches, fans from all over the continent will be glued to their screens, eager to see who will be crowned European champions.
