Former Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Germany defender Markus Babbel says Spain will be labelled as favourites for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final, but he is finding it hard to call a winner.
La Roja booked their place in Berlin after beating France in the semi-final, despite going 1-0 down early on.
They will face England, who scored a last-gasp winner against the Netherlands on Wednesday night and marking back-to-back final appearances for Gareth Southgate.
Spain have been in exceptional form in Germany, beating Italy, Croatia and the hosts on their run.
Babbel, who won the tournament with Germany in 1996, says they have been the best team to watch this summer.
Speaking exclusively to 101GreatGoals on behalf of NewBettingOffers, he said: “100%. For me, they have been the best. It doesn’t matter what happens on Sunday because in one game, anything can happen.
“But until now, it is Spain, by far the best team in the tournament. They are skilful, they are tactically top, individually, they are top, there are so many great things.
Spain 🆚 England
Berlin. Sunday.#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/f1NqmQfOpO
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 10, 2024
“It’s very difficult to play against them because they have so much confidence.
“It’s unbelievable and they’re not arrogant. They believe they are winning this tournament and they’re showing it every game.
“And I’m really looking forward for Sunday because my favourite ahead of the tournament was England.
“I’m not 100% sure if they’re physically strong enough because they have always periods in the game, if they look tired, they can’t bring the energy on the pitch.
“If you go the English side to the Spanish side, I would say the English side, they have so much more potential from the players.
“But as a group it looks fantastic what Spain are doing and of course they are the favourites on Sunday.”
Spain’s maestro
Luis de la Fuente has done a phenomenal job since taking over as head coach and is on the verge of achieving something truly remarkable.
Having emerged as a youth coach with Spain, he has taken a mixed squad and turned them into a formidable opponent.
Starboy 💫#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/hFwcARGzQu
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 11, 2024
It has been a while since they have been at the top of the pile in terms of quality, but in Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Nico Williams, they have an incredibly exciting core.
Babbel has noticed a lot of belief from watching Spain at Euro 2024, and believes their preparations for the tournament have helped them.
He said: “He was the manager of the Under-21s for a long time, so he knows many players of this team and what he brought in is the belief that they can win something.
“They won the Nations League. Then you say, ‘Ok, Nations League, it’s not so important.’ But they won it, so the players started to believe, ‘Hey, we can win trophies.’
“They have a mix of experienced players, but also massive talents. In this team is Lamine Yamal and then you have Carvajal, Rodri, the experienced guys and the mix is fantastic.
“So there’s a good harmony in this team and that’s what De la Fuente did.”
Spain will face their final test on Sunday against England, who will be desperate to win their first major international trophy since 1966.
The game will take place in Berlin at the Olympic Stadium, kicking off at 8pm.
