Familiar foes fighting for European glory – MASHAHER

England take on Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final in Berlin, with Gareth Southgate’s side hoping to avoid a repeat of the Euro 2020 final (an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Italy at Wembley) and La Roja aiming to add a fourth European title to their trophy cabinet.

The last time the two sides met at the Euros was in the quarter-final at Wembley in 1996. That match ended 0-0 after extra time with England advancing to the last four after a 4-2 penalty shootout win. Whether you’re old enough to remember what happened in that semi-final or not, we’re sure you (and Gareth Southgate) have heard about it.

Twenty-eight years ago the football world was a completely different sphere to now. The Premier League was in its infancy – only two clubs had won it at that point – and the coverage of European leagues on British TV was not as extensive as it is now.

So it may not surprise you to hear that none of the starting 22 players in that Euro 96 quarter-final had ever played together before at club level. It would be three years before Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman would make his move to Real Madrid.

But there will be a more familiar feel on Sunday with almost half the players lining up against each other having played together at club level.

Arguably England’s highest profile current export, Jude Bellingham has just completed a stellar debut season at Real Madrid, finishing the campaign not only as a Champions League winner but also La Liga’s player of the season.

Bellingham could line up against Real teammates from last season Dani Carvajal and Nacho, who has just left Los Blancos for Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah.

The England midfielder has played in every game for England en route to the final, but Carvajal has played in four for Spain and Nacho only three.

Carvajal was impressed when Bellingham arrived in Madrid, saying he “blew him away” when he saw him training, but when asked who he would pick for the Ballon d’Or recently, the Spanish defender chose himself over his teammate.

Europe’s other dominant club in recent seasons – Premier League champions Manchester City – are well represented in Sunday’s showpiece.

Midfielder Rodri – who has featured in five of the six games in the competition so far – will look across the tunnel before kick off and see club mates Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden. Three other players in Spain’s squad – Jesus Navas, Ferran Torres and defender Aymeric Laporte – also formerly plied their trade in the blue half of Manchester.

Rodri has said he “loves” Foden, adding that the midfielder “needs to be kept under control” due to his ability to get into tight spaces.

There’s been a Spanish feel to Arsenal’s play over the last few years with manager Mikel Arteta working under City boss Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium before taking the reins at the Emirates.

The Gunners will be represented by Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice for England. But whereas the two midfielders have been ever-present for the Three Lions in Germany, their two goalkeepers haven’t had as much playing time.

Spain’s David Raya has played in just one game in Germany so far, the 1-0 win over Albania after Spain had already advanced from the group stage. Aaron Ramsdale has not been so lucky, playing not a single minute so far in the competition.

Raya has also played with England stars Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney at Brentford before he move to Arsenal and Watkins joined Aston Villa.

Chelsea duo Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher will be familiar with the immediately recognisable figure of Marc Cucurella, as will his former Brighton & Hove Albion teammate Lewis Dunk.

The Spanish defender has played in five of their six games at Euro 2024 but his English counterparts have had to be more patient in regard to the number of minutes they’ve had, with Dunk yet to feature.

Not that Palmer will be complaining. It was his pass after coming on as a sub against the Netherlands in the semi-final which set up Ollie Watkins’ last-gasp winner.

England defender Kieran Trippier spent three years in Spain playing for Atletico Madrid before joining Newcastle United in 2022. During his time in the Spanish capital, he was a teammate of Spain captain Alvaro Morata, who limped off the field following their semi-final win against France after a photographer slipped into him during the post-match celebrations.

But, of course, the pleasantries will be put aside for 90 minutes (at least) on Sunday. No doubt the players’ club managers will be watching, hoping they won’t have to deal with a Wayne Rooney v Cristiano Ronaldo type situation from 2006, when both players represented Manchester United.