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Bookmaker company 1xBet tells about the matches that will determine the final's participants.
Spain vs France, July 9
Spain is the main favorite
Before the tournament started, few predicted the Spain national team's success, but now, the Furia Roja is close to a record fourth European Championship title. The Spanish became the best team in the group stage and got past Germany—one of the main contenders for the trophy—in the quarterfinals. Luis de la Fuente's team wasn't ready for the Germans' tough style but showed spirit and pulled out the victory.
The Furia Roja approaches the match against France without Pedri, Dani Carvajal, and Le Normand. The injured midfielder will be easily replaced by fit Dani Olmo, while 38-year-old Jesús Navas will have to face Kylian Mbappé. This will most likely be the Sevilla legend's final match for the national team, and he will do everything to stop his star opponent.
Pragmatic France
At this Euro, the French team scored only 3 goals: one from penalty kicks and two after the opponents' own goals. At the same time, the French haven't conceded a single goal. Didier Deschamps deliberately opts for a pragmatic football style, deploying the defensive trio of Kanté, Tchouaméni, and Rabiot in the midfield. Few believed that N'Golo would manage to play at the same level after his transfer to Saudi Arabia, but the midfielder is back in top form and could be the tournament's MVP. Kylian Mbappé, on the other hand, has so far failed to live up to expectations. The striker will definitely be remembered by the fans for his mask, but his ambitions to win the Ballon d'Or must be backed up with results, and one goal from the penalty spot will definitely not be enough.
Netherlands vs England, July 10
Koeman is back for the trophy
The Netherlands has reached the semifinals for the first time in the last five European Championships and wants to repeat the golden generation's success of 1988. Ronald Koeman was Oranje's key defender at that tournament, also held in Germany, and he knows the exact secret to big wins.
His team finished third in their group and miraculously drew relatively easier opponents in the playoffs—Romania and Turkey. However, Oranje needs to prove its strength in the match against the European vice-champions. Ronald Koeman relies on an experienced defense line and Cody Gakpo—one of the best tournament's scorers. Also, much will depend on goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who found courage against Turkey and helped his team secure the victory.
Will Fortuna play for England again?
Gareth Southgate has been mercilessly criticized for his boring football, but in 2021, the coach took the Three Lions to the European Championship finals for the first time in history and is now close to repeating his success. Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka have saved England from a playoff exit, but the luck isn't endless. The coaching staff needs to change something because with such a game plan, even Phil Foden—the best player of the season in the Premier League—lost his magic.
Luke Shaw, now fully recovered from injury, can bring variation to the English attack. Gareth Southgate valued this defender and included him in the tournament squad, knowing he would only be available for the playoffs. Will he become the Three Lions' secret weapon?
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