ITV and the BBC will both broadcast the Euro 2024 final between England and Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, but the broadcasters have taken different approaches
ITV have decided not to follow the BBC‘s lead when it comes to having a Spanish presence in the studio for the Euro 2024 final.
Both broadcasters have shared coverage of the tournament so far, with the BBC showing England’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland and ITV earning the rights to the semi-final comeback win against the Netherlands. Both get the chance to show the final, though, with carefully chosen teams for the big game.
The Beeb have made a late change to their team, adding Euro 2012 winner Juan Mata to their ranks. For ITV, though, the only Spaniard involved will be pitchside analyst Gaizka Mendieta.
“Mark Pougatch is joined in the Olympic Stadium by Roy Keane and former England internationals Gary Neville and Ian Wright as England take on Spain in the final of UEFA Euro 2024 with Gareth Southgate’s side looking to make history and win a first-ever European Championship in Berlin,” an ITV statement reads.
“Pitchside insight comes from Laura Woods, Karen Carney and Gaizka Mendieta, commentary from Sam Matterface, Lee Dixon and Ally McCoist, and interviews from reporter Gabriel Clarke.”
The BBC, meanwhile, will welcome Mata into the studio along with regulars Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand, plus regular host Gary Lineker. Their own pitchside coverage will be provided by Alex Scott and Kelly Somers, with Alan Shearer joining Guy Mowbray in the commentary booth.
ITV recruit Mendieta has eight goals in 40 caps for Spain. Two of those came at the European Championships back in 2000 – one in a dramatic comeback win against Yugoslavia in the final group game and one in a quarter-final defeat to France.
Mendieta was also a team-mate with England boss Gareth Southgate at Middlesbrough, getting on well with his colleague on the pitch. However, the pair had tougher times when Southgate took over in the dugout at the Riverside Stadium.
Will you be watching on the BBC or ITV? Let us know in the comments section
“I did not see Southgate becoming England manager at all but now that he is, he’s a perfect fit,” the former Valencia star told The Guardian in 2021. “We had a good relationship at Middlesbrough as teammates but when he became manager he still wanted to be a friend, a mate. But he wasn’t honest.
“Rather than just say, ‘We don’t want you here, find yourself another club’, he would keep telling me I was needed. We both knew it was not true. Why did he tell me those things? He felt pressure from the board but later told me he would have done it differently.”
ITV’s coverage of the Euro 2024 final will get underway at 6.30pm UK time, making room for plenty of pre-match build-up. BBC One will begin its own coverage at the same time.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.