'Saka might be doing more defending than Cucurella' - English-born ex-Super Eagles star Sodje on Euro final 

London-born retired Nigeria international central defender Sam Sodje is understandably backing his country of birth England to beat Spain in the final of the 2024 European Championship scheduled to hold at the Olympiastadion Berlin on Sunday, kick off 2000 hours Nigerian time.

The Three Lions, coached by Gareth Southgate, have not won a major tournament since the legendary Geoff Hurst inspired them to win the 1966 World Cup at Wembley. 

Although Sodje acknowledged that Spain are favorites heading into the final, he is optimistic that the Three Lions can break the jinx and win their first major title in 58 years. 

One of the key battles that could determine the outcome of tonight's game is the duel between Arsenal right winger Bukayo Saka and Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella. 

Sodje believes Spain will play a more offensive game than England and reckons that the cap-tied England international of Nigerian descent will need to help out in defence by tracking back when the Three Lions are out of possession. 

Speaking to allnigeriasoccer.com, Sodje said: "It all depends on how the teams play. Saka has had a good tournament and when you come to Cucurella he's a different player compared to how he plays in Chelsea.

"It'll be a very tough game. One thing you have to know about that game was well, technically, don't forget that the way Spain plays, Saka might be doing more defending than Cucurella so that might change it.

"It's bigger than those two players because the way Spain plays Saka might be doing lots of running back than Cucurella. I hope Saka wins the battle."

Explaining why he wants England to win the Euro final, he said: "I've been in finals before. People might expect something different but finals are totally different football so what Spain and England have done in all the competition might be different.

"As someone from England, I want them to win because of the investment they put into football, into sports in England and not winning any trophy since 1966 is a heartbreak to us so we are hoping these boys break the jinx for us to win the tournament but it will be very hard.

"Football-wise, Spain have an upper hand but it's the final, we all have hope that England will pull through but if they ask me who they want me to win, just because of the investment the country has put into sports, that's why I want them to at least win the trophy today."

England lost on penalties to Italy in the 2020 European Championship, while Spain are aiming to become the first country to win the competition four times. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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