England against Spain in the Final. That was what I predicted and hoped for at the outset of the tournament over three weeks ago. My two teams. England because I am half-English and lived there for nearly six decades. Spain because I have been a resident in Andalucia for the last 16 years. Spain is my adopted country.
Preamble
As we moved into the semi-finals this week, one of the bookies' favourites, Germany, have gone, beaten by a superior Spain. England are still there having escaped from the round of 16 and the quarter-finals by the skin of their teeth. Defending champions France sneaked into the semis after beating world champions Italy in a penalty shoot-out. The Netherlands have a strong team with many top players from the Premier League, the French Ligue 1 and the Primera Liga in their squad.
Semi-finals
On Tuesday Spain beat France by being the better side.
Photo: ORBITA Navalmoral
On Wednesday England beat the Netherlands in somewhat controversial circumstances.
England dominated the early play yet the Dutch scored a break-away wonder goal in the 8th minute.
Within five minutes England striker Harry Kane, a prolific goalscorer last season for his club Bayern Munich, was fouled in the box as he made a shot at goal. He missed the target but was brutally chopped down by defender Denzel Dumfries. For me it was a clear penalty and a sending-off. The German referee Felix Zwayer inexplicably gave a goal kick, until VAR intervened.
Harry Kane [Photo: FC Bayern Munich]
The VAR official invited the referee to view the pitchside screen. As a result of that the ref awarded a penalty and a yellow card. Anywhere else on the pitch and it would have been a straight red card.
Many so-called "experts", ie former-players-turned-TV-pundits like Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer, Lee Dixon and Jamie Carragher declared it was NOT a penalty.
OK, they are ex-professional footballers who played at the highest level, so you would think they would know what they were talking about.
As for me I have never played football to a high standard, but I am a keen fan of the game and I think I know and understand the laws. IT WAS DEFINITELY A PENALTY and the Dutch defender should have been SENT OFF!
The match continued, Kane scored from the spot and the match became ever more frantic as both sides sought a winning goal.
Finally manager Gareth Southgate took off Kane and Phil Foden and brought on prolific Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and goal-scoring Wunderkind Cole Palmer from Chelsea.
Watkins scored in the 90th minute to seal a deserved victory for an improved England side. Palmer provided the assist. The goal was a masterpiece of precision.
The Final
At 21.00 hours in Berlin on Sunday, my two teams meet in the Final. But who shall I support? I back both teams, so shall have to dress in neutral fashion or in both liveries.
Which team do I want to win? Spain are the better team and have won all their games so far. England have been extremely fortunate to get through to the Final, but are improving.
I like the way Spain have been playing and I live here, yet I am English-born and would really like Gareth Southgate's team to win.
Photo: www.marca.com
If he leaves out Kane and plays Watkins from the start; if he gives Foden freedom to roam I think England will peak in the Final and surprise the world of football. I predict a 3-1 victory. The Three Lions' name is surely on the cup.
© Sporty Sam
Acknowledgements (Photos):
FC Bayern Munich
Julia Flynn
La Razon
Marca.com
ORBITA Navalmoral
Paul Whitelock
Wikipedia
Tags:
Alan Shearer, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Cole Palmer, Denzel Dumfries, Felix Zwayer, FC Bayern Munich, Gareth Southgate, Gary Lineker, Harry Kane, Jamie Carragher, Julia Flynn, La Razon, Lee Dixon, Ligue 1, Marca.com, Ollie Watkins, ORBITA Navalmoral, Paul Whitelock, penalty, penalty shoot-out, Phil Foden, Premier League, Primera Liga, Rio Ferdinand, sending-off, Sporty Sam, TV pundit, Three Lions, Wikipedia, wonder goal, Wunderkind