Media caption,

Highlights: Watkins sends England to Euro 2024 final

  1. Goodbye!published at 16:00 British Summer Time 11 July

    Wow, what a day.

    Reaction to yesterday's historic Euro 2024 semi-final triumph has unsurprisingly dominated, with fans sharing where they were when Ollie Watkins sent England into Sunday's final.

    We've heard from viewers in South America, Africa, Asia, all over Europe and much more, with concerts from The Killers and Kings of Leon, family parties and even airplanes blessed with jubilant celebrations.

    We weren't able to publish all of them due to the sheer volume of interactions, but rest assured we have read and loved every single one!

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to rule out a Bank Holiday if England win against Spain, while the Lionesses' Dutch manager Sarina Wiegman congratulated Gareth Southgate for reaching his second successive Euros final.

    We'll be back tomorrow to do it all over again, and start to ramp up our build-up to Sunday's showcase in Berlin.

    Have a good evening!

    Gareth SouthgateImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'We can make history again'published at 15:56 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Former England striker Gary Lineker says he will have "everything crossed" for the Three Lions against Spain in the Euro 2024 final.

    Gareth Southgate's side could become the first England team to win a major tournament on foreign soil.

    Media caption,

    Euro 2024: Everything will be crossed for England - Lineker

  3. 'England are on the brink of history'published at 15:53 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Gary Lineker
    Ex-England striker speaking to BBC Sport

    I think it's hugely significant for English football. They were in a final, they were in the last final of the Euros, of course, and that was at Wembley, and that ended up in huge disappointment.

    This is going to be tough, it's going to be difficult, but they're on the brink of history.

    No English team in football has ever won a major tournament abroad. Ever. Obviously, the women have won the Euros in England, England have won a World Cup in England, but we've never done it outside.

    And that would be history and everything will be crossed.

    England celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  4. Best moments of Euro 2024 so farpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    Gary Lineker
    Ex-England striker speaking to BBC Sport

    England have provided three haven't they, really?

    Jude Bellingham's extraordinary overhead kick, which I think was just the biggest relief to all of us.

    The penalty shootout, the five boys that stood up and hit perfect penalties. Especially, you know, Saka for example, who missed obviously in the final [in 2021]. Trent Alexander-Arnold who'd had it a bit tough but stepped up to take that winner. And then Ollie Watkins' goal.

    So you know, you look at these things in a biased nature, but then I would also add Lamine Yamal's extraordinary goal in the semi-final against France. That'd be probably my four moments of the tournament.

    Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Lamine Yamal and Ollie WatkinsImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'I doesn't matter how you start the tournament. It's how you finish it.'published at 15:47 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    Gary Lineker
    Ex-England striker on speaking to BBC Sport

    I'm thrilled. It is the first time it's ever happened to the men's team to be in a final outside of our own shores. And, you know, they've done it in an exciting way.

    In terms of last-minute drama on a couple of occasions. Penalty shootouts. They have got that kind of never-say-die attitude, which is something that is hugely important, and perhaps we have not seen before, you know, with one game to go.

    I think they've grown throughout the tournament, which is important. Okay, even when we weren't playing well, we kept saying at the start the tournament that it's not how you start the tournament, it's how you finish them.

  6. Morata fit to trainpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Alvaro Morata HAS trained with Spain today, ahead of Sunday's Euro 2024 final against England in Berlin.

    The Spain captain looked to have injured his knee after the semi-final win over France, as a photographer bundled into his knee amid the jubilant celebrations.

    The Atletico Madrid striker was limping after that incident but was pictured at training by UEFA's Spain reporter Graham Hunter today.

    Alvaro Morata
  7. Who will referee the Euro 2024 final?published at 15:43 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Referee Francois Letexier signals during the Euro 2024 game between Spain and GeorgiaImage source, Getty Images

    The UEFA Referees Committee has announced that François Letexier will officiate the final between Spain and England at Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.

    The 35-year-old Frenchman, an international referee since 2017, has already officiated at 65 official UEFA matches in his career.

    The big game referee:

    Last season, Letexier took charge of ten Uefa club competition matches in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League and was the fourth official at the 2024 Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid CF at Wembley.

    He was also the referee of the 2023 UEFA Super Cup between Manchester City FC and Sevilla FC in Piraeus, Greece.

    Who will his team be?

    • French assistants Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni
    • Szymon Marciniak (Poland) will be fourth official.
    • The video assistant referee (VAR) role has been assigned to Jérôme Brisard (France),
    • assisted by Willy Delajod (France)
    • and supported by Massimiliano Irrati (Italy).
    • Tomasz Listkiewicz (Poland) completes the line-up as assistant reserve referee.

  8. get involved

    Get Involved - Where and how did you watch England's Euro 2024 semi-final?published at 15:40 British Summer Time 11 July

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Watched the game in a restaurant in Sirmione Lake Garda Italy, a little outnumbered but have a bet with our waiter over the bill for the final. England win he pays England lose I pay double !

    James

    I’m living in the US so was watching the game at work. I’m a preschool teacher so had to keep my composure, it really wasn’t easy at times.

    Gyan, USA

  9. 'He has that thing, that geniuses have'published at 15:37 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Guillem Balague
    Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Guillem took some time to talk to BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss Spain's 'Genius' 16 year old Lamine Yamal:

    He's actually had to pass school exams in Germany.

    I don’t know what he’s going to do now because his value is easily £100 million now.

    His life is sorted and he has that thing that geniuses have, that emotional volume very low. Nothing seems to phase him, nothing seems to bother him on the highest of stages

    Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 Semi-Final match between Spain and France at Munich Football Arena on July 09, 2024 in Munich, Germany.Image source, Getty Images
  10. Dani Olmo available for £50mpublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain international Dani Olmo is available for £50m until 20 July after his release clause was granted an extension its previous 15 July expiry date.

    The 26-year-old midfielder had the clause written into his contract at RB Leipzig in case he reached the Euro 2024 final to allow longer for clubs to sign him upon his return to club football.

    Barcelona and Manchester City are the two clubs linked closest with Olmo, who scored the crucial second goal as Spain beat France to book their place in the final against England in Berlin on Sunday.

    Olmo is the joint-top scorer at Euro 2024 with three goals and is believed to be open to making a move this summer.

    Dani Olmo celebrates after scoring for Spain at Euro 2024Image source, Getty Images
  11. 'Rodri do it for Scotland'published at 15:32 British Summer Time 11 July

    Best of social media

    Obviously not all of our audience this morning are England fans - and won't be on Sunday.

    SNP MP for Aberdeen South, Stephen Flynn joked on X: "Rodri. You were right. The grass was too long at Hampden. We accept that now. It won’t happen again. Just don’t let us down. Yours, Scotland."

    For context, after Scotland beat Spain 2-0 in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Hampden in March 2023, Rodri said: "It's the way [Scotland] play, but for me it's rubbish, always wasting time, provoking you, always they fall. For me, this is not football."

    Spain also complained about the grass on the pitch being "too long".

  12. Euro 2024 final: when, where and how to watch?published at 15:29 British Summer Time 11 July

    Olympiastadion BerlinImage source, Getty Images

    Some big decisions for Gareth Southgate for Sunday, but some big decisions for supporters too.

    Where to watch it? Who with? And how?!

    Here's a reminder of the key information:

    • What? Spain v England in the European Championship 2024 final
    • Where? The match is taking place at the Olympiastadion Berlin
    • When? It's on Sunday at 20:00 BST
    • How to watch? The match will be shown live on BBC One and the iPlayer, with commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. ITV will also show the final.
  13. get involved

    Get Involved - Where and how did you watch England's semi-final win?published at 15:26 British Summer Time 11 July

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Unfortunately I timed my return flight from South Africa very badly, coincided with a certain semi final. Fortunately the WiFi on the plane was good enough to watch the match and a few loud cheers in the cabin somewhere over Zambia at 38,000 feet when Watkins spanked in the winner - a few additional drinks had!

    Peter, returning from South Africa

  14. 'The Euro 2024 final will be quite the spectacle'published at 15:23 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Paul Robinson
    Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

    You look at the Spain team that played against France, we are talking about Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal being their most exciting players.

    Rodri, we know how good he is. But I think both teams will be looking in the wide areas. England have wingers who can cause problems for Spain but likewise, Spain's wingers are their strengths.

    I think Spain are more defensively susceptible than England but I do think they are the best team in the tournament.

    I think it is going to be quite a spectacle.

    Lamine Yamal and Jude BellinghamImage source, Getty Images
  15. get involved

    Get Involved - Where and how did you watch England's Euro 2024 semi-finalpublished at 15:20 British Summer Time 11 July

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    We watched the game in Jeddah Saudi Arabia at the British Consulate.. had the support of most our Irish friends! A fantastic last minute goal, bring on the final!!

    Anon

    England fans in JeddahImage source, Getty Images
  16. Pick your combined Spain and England XIpublished at 15:17 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    And then there were two.

    On Sunday England and Spain go head to head to decide the champions of Europe.

    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 by clicking here.

    Bukayo Saka and Lamine YamalImage source, Getty Images
  17. 'Hey Jude, see you in Berlin'published at 15:13 British Summer Time 11 July

    Spain v England (Sun, 20:00 BST)

    Marca

    Jude Bellingham had a wonderful first season in Spain with Real Madrid. Now he is set to face some of his club-mates in Sunday's final in Berlin.

    After helping England to last night's semi-final win over the Netherlands, the 21-year-old featured in Spanish newspaper Marca, with a headline which reads "Hey Jude, see you in Berlin".

    Front page of Marca on 11 July 2024Image source, Marca
  18. Postpublished at 15:12 British Summer Time 11 July

    And what a hurdle it is, Charlotte.

    Spain. England. Who will come out on top and be crowned Euro 2024 champions?

  19. 'One more hurdle to go'published at 15:09 British Summer Time 11 July

    Netherlands 1-2 England

    Charlotte Richardson
    Football pundit speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It was really special.

    This England team have had so many magical moments and they did it again. It was wonderful and really special.

    One more hurdle to go on Sunday.

    England celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:05 British Summer Time 11 July

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Baby Shower Sunday in the garden (Sunday 1pm)…….just became warm up for Euro Final BBQ and beers.. from about 2pm.. Sometimes you have to prioritise.!! Baby middle names... Ollie…. Harry…. Kobbie….. Bukayo…… decisions decisions……

    Matt Oxford!