Ursula von der Leyen has made a Brexit jibe ahead of England’s Euro 2024 clash with Spain tomorrow.
The European Commission President, who saw Germany crash out in the quarter-finals against Spain, voiced her support for La Roja against Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.
The 65-year-old appeared to suggest she would prefer any EU member state win the trophy when up against a country outside the bloc.
“In this final”, Von der Leyen told The Daily Telegraph, my heart beats for Spain.
“England also has great talents and players. But in this tournament, the Spanish team has consistently shown footballing skills close to perfection.
“I hope that Spain will make sure that this European trophy stays in a glass cabinet in our Union.”
Von der Leyen’s comments do not appear to have gone down particularly well with English football fans.
“It’s us against the world,” one social media user wrote.
Another said: “Even more of an incentive to win.”
A third added: “Definitely a reason for England to win, stuff the EU.”
“Brexit still hurting then,” another user wrote.
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England go into the Euro 2024 final after Ollie Watkins’ last-minute winner against the Dutch
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Footballers from the Soviet Union were the only non-EU members to win the Euros, defeating Yugoslavia in 1960.
However, Spain and Czechia managed to win the continental cup before joining the Brussels bloc.
England’s only international tournament victory, which came on home soil in 1966, happened before the UK acceded into the European Economic Community in 1973.
The Three Lions have made three finals, with so far an even split of victory at Wembley in 1966 followed by a heartbreaking defeat at the home of English football in 2021.
However, all three final appearances have come before or after the UK joined the EEC or was a member of the revamped European Union.
England hopes to end 58 years of hurt tomorrow in Berlin.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
PA
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins sent England fans crazy after finding the back of the net in the 90th minute against the Netherlands in a nail-biting semi-final clash in Dortmund.
England were dealt an early blow after Xavi Simons put the Dutch ahead within eight minutes.
Former Spurs striker Harry Kane managed to put the Three Lions level after cooly despatching a spot kick in the 18th minute.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will head to Berlin to watch England, with Prince William also expected to join the Labour leader.
Southgate’s squad came under fire throughout England’s route to Berlin.
The Three Lions limped through as Group C winners after beating Serbia but drawing to Denmark and Slovenia.
It took a last-minute Bellingham overhead kick and extra-time strike from Kane to put England through against Slovakia in the first knock-out stage.
Spain go into the final against England after a flawless set of displays
PA
The Three Lions sealed a clash with the Netherlands in a penalty shootout win over Switzerland last weekend.
Spain has received much more credit for the style of play, with La Roja adopting a high-press and tiki-taka.
The three-time European champions topped Group B with a flawless set of results, keeping three clean sheets and bagging five goals against Croatia, Italy and Albania.
Despite going behind early against minnows Georgia, Spain managed to romp to a 4-1 victory, setting up a tie with hosts Germany.
Extra time proved vital as ex-Newcastle midfielder Mikel Merino found the back of the net in the 119th minute.
Spain also managed to see off France after an enthralling first half in Munich, leaving England as their only hurdle to reclaiming the continental cup for the first time since 2012.
Source Agencies
