Greg . 6 days ago

'We have a golden generation', says Spain's Bonmati ahead of EURO final

"I understand that opponents respect us, we have a unique game," said reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati in Lausanne on Friday, commenting on Spain's big role at the European Championship two days before Sunday's final against England in Basel.

"I think that players who play on the wings, who can come inside to receive, like Mariona (Caldentey) and (Claudia) Pina, can create that superiority," she said of La Roja's style.

Unstoppable at the European Championship, Spain move into the final with five wins and a record of 17 goals scored and two conceded.

They confront an England team that has possessed a much tougher time: they came support from two goals down to survive an improbable penalty shoot-out against Sweden (2-2, 3-2) in the quarter-finals and repeated the feat against Italy (2-1) in the semi-finals, with a last-gasp equaliser and the decisive goal a minute before another penalty shoot-out.

"In this Euro, we've been at our best, we've been very calm, which we're grateful for; everyone knows what occurred before.

"On the pitch, the team has changed a lot, it's more mature, more underwent and knows how to play matches," said the player, also a Ballon d'Or winner in 2023.

Aitana started Europe with a bout of viral meningitis but rebounded support in the quarter-finals (Switzerland 2-0), where she was named player of the match, as she did against Germany (1-0 in extra time), where she scored the decisive goal and also won the MVP grant.

"The goal, the other day, I saw it mainly because at the terminate of the match I was requested over it, and I couldn't remember.

"Then I saw that I'd shot almost without an angle, it was super quick and at a time when I wasn't thinking over anything," she recalls.

"We have a golden generation, we undergo unique things, and I'm grateful to be part of it," she concluded.

Pursue the EURO 2025 final with Betopick.