Summary

  1. Southgate on Euro 96 and... cricket!published at 13:24 British Summer Time 13 July

    Gareth Southgate at the cricket in 2019Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Gareth Southgate pictured at the cricket in 2019

    Now, you might not know this, but the BBC online cricket team is absolutely bossing this live text today, in the absence of any live cricket. So it's only fair we get the chance to promote some cricket content, right?

    In fairness, you don't need to be a cricket fan to hear this wonderful podcast when Gareth Southgate joined Jonathan Agnew on A View from the Boundary.

    Southgate talks about the differences in managing in football compared to cricket, what he learnt from Euro 96 and batting with his son.

    Have a listen here.

  2. Postpublished at 13:21 British Summer Time 13 July

    Meanwhile it's freezing and raining back in England. Well played all involved, well played.

  3. get involved

    'Eggmint is the reason we are in the final' - travelling tales from England fanspublished at 13:20 British Summer Time 13 July

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Mark Bennett, his brother Tony and EggmintImage source, Mark Bennett

    Meet England's number-one supporting elephant - Eggmint.

    This cuddly little fella belongs to Mark Bennett's now 22-year-old daughter Francesca.

    Mark, 62, and his brother Tony, 65, have taken Eggmint on their many journeys following England and Arsenal and he is proving to be somewhat of a lucky mascot over in Germany.

    "My brother and I have been to all the matches with Eggmint," Mark told BBC Sport on Thursday. "He’s been putting his stories on social media and is clearly the reason why England have got to the final!

    "We’re going to have a long car drive so it’s just as well he’s not travel sick! No-one seems to think it’s odd seeing two 60-something year old men filming a small great elephant!"

    Eggmint following England at GelsenkirchenImage source, Mark Bennett

    Mark got in touch with us again on Saturday with an update, en route to Heathrow to board a plane to Germany: "We’ve been to all the England games so far and will be in Berlin on Sunday with the lucky elephant in tow. Well, I say in tow, to be honest he is the responsible one!

    "We’ve put in some miles on this trip and he has been splashed with beer a few times following late England goals. He is going to need a bath when we get him home.

    "Eggmint belongs to my daughter Francesca, who has had him since she was five or six, and comes to many games, both international and domestic, and hasn’t seen too many defeats when he attends.

    "He was with us during the group stages of Euro 2016, the Nations League finals in Portugal in 2019 and at every England game during Euro 2020.

    "He hasn’t done a World Cup yet, but is hopeful for 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico. He loves being with the lads on tour."

    Eggmint tucks into a lolly in DusseldorfImage source, Mark Bennett
  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:17 British Summer Time 13 July

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    Mike: Just spent the week in Kos. Now waiting to fly home before heading to Berlin tomorrow morning. Back via Prague on Tuesday. Kos-Horsham-Berlin-Prague. 4 nights 4 different countries.

  5. Pick your combined Spain/England XIpublished at 13:13 British Summer Time 13 July

    Bukayo Saka/Lamine YamalImage source, Getty Images

    And then there were two.

    Spain have caught the eye with some fantastic performances, while England have slowly but steadily improved.

    Who has the best players though? Would you have Lamine Yamal or Bukayo Saka on the right?

    Rodri or Declan Rice in midfield? Marc Cucurella at left-back?

    We want you to pick a combined XI here.

  6. Postpublished at 13:10 British Summer Time 13 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Rob Green
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    We've got Jude Bellingham and they [Spain] know what he's all about - they've seen it, we all have but they feel the enormity of it and they've played against it.

  7. 'Watkins will put the Spanish back-line on edge'published at 13:10 British Summer Time 13 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Ollie Watkins of England celebrates following the team's victory in the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in DortmundImage source, Getty Images

    What Ollie Watkins has done, with his winning goal against the Netherlands, is to put the Spanish back-line on edge.

    If he comes off the bench, he will be seen as a different sort of player they’re are going to be up against.

    He will have that reputation if he comes on, that feeling, that aura about him.

    The Spanish defence will feel that.

  8. get involved

    Travelling tales from England fanspublished at 13:06 British Summer Time 13 July

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Media caption,

    Watkins score late winner for England

    Scott in Southend-on-Sea: We took a punt on booking flights for the final before the tournament began, in the hope England made it. London to Hamburg, then back to London from Cologne. £84! Connecting trains booked last night [Wednesday]. All in all, it’s looking like a bargain compared to prices now.

    Russ: Was lucky to bag tickets for the final in the ballot so we booked flights and accommodation a few months back hoping (dreaming) that we might get to see England play. Watching Ollie Watkins' goal on repeat today [Thursday] - it did actually happen didn’t it?! Colemanballs on tour.

  9. get involved

    Travelling tales from England fanspublished at 13:05 British Summer Time 13 July

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Following England's win over the Netherlands on Wednesday, BBC Sport asked to hear from England supporters who were planning to make the journey to Germany for Sunday's final.

    Hundreds got in touch and we will bring you a taste of their exodus to Berlin.

    Starting with Scott and Russ, whose optimism and forward thinking is now paying dividends...

  10. Postpublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 13 July

    Spain v England (Sunday, 20:00 BST)

    Gareth SouthgateImage source, Getty Images

    OK, so Spain have pedigree, but England have reached the European Championship final in consecutive editions. Indeed, they’ve now reached more major tournament finals in four attempts under Gareth Southgate (2), than they did in their first 23 appearances at the World Cup/EUROs combined (1) before his tenure.

  11. Spain's class of '24 'want to be remembered'published at 12:56 British Summer Time 13 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    This is Spain’s fifth European Championship final. La Roja won in 1964, 2008, 2012 and lost in 1984 to hosts France.

    They could become the first team to win the competition on four separate occasions.

    Spain have won the last three major tournament finals they have reached, including the 2010 World Cup. No European side has ever been successful in four consecutive World Cup/Euros finals.

    The front page of Friday's Spanish newspaper AS featured Manchester City midfielder Rodri holding aloft a Spain jersey, with a headline which reads "we want to be remembered".

    Front page of AS on 12 July 2024Image source, AS
  12. Get Involved - Euros v Real Lifepublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 13 July

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    My friend Glen is a tour guide living in Berlin and got offered tickets to the final a few weeks back but turned them down as he'd already committed to see a friend who's over from Australia. Even worse, he'll be on a plane to the UK at the time of the final! Bad planning but bonus points for loyalty to his friends!

    Simon in Reigate

  13. Postpublished at 12:52 British Summer Time 13 July

    Trevor you've moved her from Alicante to the west Midlands - I think she deserves that win.

  14. Son backs Spain in divided householdpublished at 12:51 British Summer Time 13 July

    Spain v England (Sunday, 20:00 BST)

    Shehnaz Khan
    BBC News, West Midlands

    What do you do when your mum supports Spain but your dad's backing England?

    England fan Trevor Baker and his wife Monika Mateo

    Mum knows best apparently in the Baker household, where Trevor and Monika's six-year-old son has opted to support her homeland Spain.

    The pair met in the Spanish city of Alicante before moving to the West Midlands and the couple say so far there hasn't been any tension, but who knows with a European title at stake.

    “We’ll see what happens on Sunday but so far it’s been fun,” Trevor says.

    Click here to read more about how divided families are handling the pressure of Sunday's final.

  15. Euro 96 mixtapepublished at 12:49 British Summer Time 13 July

    Euro 96 national anthemsImage source, Getty Images

    Now you are talking my language.

    I don't imagine there is any Paul Young - for shame - but if you fancy getting into the mood with some music, BBC Sounds has you covered. There's a brilliant Euro 96 Mixtape with Fearne Cotton here, which can be washed down with this Indie Football Playlist.

    Get on it!

  16. Get Involvedpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 13 July

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    England fans in GermanyImage source, Kerry Lenihan

    Kerry: From 10 members in Qatar to 54 members now. We've had a ball & we're all going to Berlinnnnnn #ESTCGirlsClub , external#BBCFootball, external

  17. The day before tomorrowpublished at 12:44 British Summer Time 13 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Should Gareth Southgate's side go on to win Euro 2024 their last training session will live long in their memories.

    The common denominator from these pictures being how relaxed, happy but also focused the players look...

    Declan Rice in trainingImage source, PA Media
    Trent Alexander-ArnoldImage source, PA Media
    Bukayo SakaImage source, PA Media
    Jude Bellingham and Ivan ToneyImage source, PA Media
  18. Foden was always going to be a star - Sessegnonpublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 13 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Phli FodenImage source, Getty Images

    England Under-17s World Cup-winning team-mate Steven Sessegnon knew Phil Foden was going to be a star the first time he came across him.

    Sessegnon was playing for Fulham in a Premier League youth tournament when he came across Foden, who was making his way at Manchester City.

    "It was Under-13s or Under-14s," said Sessgnon. "Little Fulham against big Man City.

    "We put in the performance of our lives. We wanted it so much and the intensity was amazing.

    "Then they put a long ball forward, someone headed it out, and little Phil Foden – who was about four foot – took it on his chest, no bounce, no step and put it into the top corner. We thought ‘who is this kid?'

    "He plays at a ridiculous level. Phil has been 'that' guy since he was young. It is no surprise where he is."

  19. get involved

    Get Involved - Euros v Real Lifepublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 13 July

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only – texts will be charged at your standard message rate)

    Tracy (my partner) and I were supposed to be flying out of Zante tomorrow evening at 9.30PM but couldn’t think of not watching the final so added 24 hours onto our accommodation, pushed flight back to Monday. All sorted now - come on England.

    David