WE’RE now down to the final match of The National’s Euro 2024 charity sweepstake as Stephen Flynn’s England will take on Chris Brookmyre’s Spain to see who will be crowned champions.
England booked their spot in the finals after they beat the Netherlands on Wednesday evening as the Westminster SNP leader will be hoping to pip the Scottish author to the £1000 prize for charity.
If Brookmyre’s Spain are able to go all the way, there is still the bonus £100 for the team who knock Gareth Southgate’s men out of the tournament up for grabs.
Here’s a look at our two finalists.
Stephen Flynn
Despite drawing England in the sweepstake, the SNP man has already pleaded with Spain’s Rodri to see the game over the line as he took to social media to beg, “don’t let us down”.
Looking ahead to the big match at the weekend, Flynn thinks there might not be much talk around a bank holiday when the full-time whistle is blown.
He said: “There's been a lot of talk about a Bank Holiday, but I really don't think it can be justified for Scots to get the day off just because England lose on Sunday.”
Southgate’s team will need to up their game once again if they want to lift the trophy as despite reaching back-to-back European finals they have looked far from their best.
Although their performance against the Netherlands was arguably their best showing at the tournament, they will need to be at their best if they have any hope of beating an impressive Spanish side.
Perhaps the chance to put their Euro 2020 final loss behind them and claim European victory for the first time will be enough to spur them on.
A reminder that Flynn is playing for Community Food Initiatives North East.
Chris Brookmyre
There would have been plenty of people jealous of Brookmyre when he drew Spain in the sweepstake as the Spaniards have proven why they were one of the favourites coming into the tournament.
The Spanish squad have been a joy to watch throughout the Euros and Brookmyre is right behind them as he reckons they have a good shot at being crowned champions.
He said: “Frankly amazed I haven’t jinxed the Spanish, especially given how difficult their path to the final has been. I must confess to mixed feelings ahead of Sunday, as I know how much an England win will mean to so many of my friends.
“That said, I do fancy Spain on this form, and it would be nice to be able to say Scotland were the only team to have beaten the winners on their way to the trophy.”
Spain have been tremendously good this tournament but, England do have the potential to match them if they up their game.
Brookmyre is playing for Médecins Sans Frontières.
Just like the semi-finals, the final match has all the hallmarks to be a classic. Can England find vindication from their loss to Italy in Euro 2020? Or can Spain make it a record fourth European triumph?
If both teams come out firing on all cylinders, it will be too close to call.
