Bonmatí Aims for Glory as Spain Faces England in Euro Final

Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí is poised to make history as she leads her team into the UEFA Euro 2024 final against England. This matchup not only represents a chance for Spain to claim their first European Championship title but also offers Bonmatí an opportunity to complete her trophy collection. After securing victories in the World Cup and the UEFA Nations League, the only major title missing from her cabinet is the Euros.

In a press conference held at Spain’s training base in Lausanne, Bonmatí reflected on the significance of this moment. “Winning would be like closing a cycle,” she stated. “Along with the Olympics, it’s the only tournament that some of us are missing. It would be the culmination of… I don’t want to say of my career, but it would be amazing in the future to have won all the major tournaments.”

Spain reached the Euro final after a historic win against Sweden, marking their first-ever appearance in this stage of the competition. Bonmatí scored the decisive goal in that match, further solidifying her status as a key player. As they prepare to face the reigning champions on July 7, 2024, she emphasizes the importance of this opportunity. “We’re ready. It’s another dream for us. We’re going to give our all to change that.”

The encounter between Spain and England is the latest chapter in a fierce rivalry. England knocked Spain out during their victorious Euro campaign three years ago, but Spain exacted revenge by defeating the Lionesses in the World Cup final in 2023. Earlier this year, both teams had a balanced showing in the Nations League, with each side claiming one victory.

Bonmatí noted that the pressure is now on England, who are tasked with defending their title. “England are the reigning European champions, so all the pressure is on them to defend their title,” she explained. “For us, they are the favourites, but we are going to try to stop them.”

In preparing for the match, Bonmatí remains cautious about England’s strategy. While she acknowledged their physical style of play, she suggested that teams have become increasingly respectful towards Spain, often hesitant to adopt an aggressive approach that could leave them vulnerable. “We don’t know exactly what they are going to do, obviously, but we expect a game similar to the ones we’ve played against them in recent years, which have all been very evenly matched,” she said.

As the final approaches, the anticipation grows, not only for Bonmatí but for the entire Spanish team, who are eager to cement their place among the elite in European football. With the potential to secure their first European title, Spain is ready to make their mark on history.