Spain are “deserved” favourites for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final and even if England do pull off a surprise victory English bookmakers are willing to take the financial hit as for one at least it is “only money lent”. Indeed it might be one occasion where the bookmakers allow their hearts to rule their heads and enjoy losing money. Even though English punters have weighed in since Gareth Southgate’s side beat the Dutch at the death in their semi-final, Spain remain odds-on favourites for a record fourth European crown in Berlin.

“I take the view I can’t lose, if England win, the fan in me is happy, if Spain win, the Coral man in me is satisfied,” David Stevens, head of public relations at Coral, told AFP.

“If it is the former, it’s only money lent.

“Spain have been the standout team in this Euros, and they are deserved favourites for Sunday’s match.

“But that will not prevent those many patriotic punters getting stuck into the Three Lions, and England will be big losers come kick-off.”

William Woodhams, CEO of the world’s oldest bookmakers Fitzdares, largely concurs with his rival.

“Heart always wins,” he told AFP.

“One result isn’t going to kill the business and a bit of a feelgood factor among punters never hurts.”

Indeed Woodhams also has a personal interest in England winning their first major trophy since Bobby Moore lifted the World Cup trophy 58 years ago.

“My son drew England in the nursery school sweepstake — so I’m so competitive I want to win the £50 ($65)!”

‘Rioja in the cellar’

Stevens said turnover has been ticking along nicely during the tournament though at the expense of other usually reliable money spinners.

“Football betting is a growth area, and the timing of this summer’s matches has been perfect for a UK audience,” he said.

“So we’ve no complaints about the turnover, albeit it does take away from other events, with Royal Ascot turnover hit slightly last month.”

The urbane Woodhams, who is far from one’s archetypal image of a bookmaker’s CEO having spent six years with luxury goods firm LVMH, says in contrast a largely dull tournament had had an impact.

“Turnover is definitely comparable to the World Cup but not on a par with either Cheltenham or Royal Ascot,” he said.

“It’s been quite a slow tournament and the amount of draws has left a lot of punters without much in their kitty.”

Stevens says England’s “dreary performances will be forgotten” should they win, though, many of his firm’s punters evidently believe they will once again leave fans’ nerves jangling.

King Charles III has tried to help their nerves, as he took to social media earlier this week to joke that England should avoid more last-minute drama.

“England to win on penalties has shortened from 9-1 to 13-2, which tells me plenty of England fans are expecting another nail-biter!” said Stevens.

Woodhams says one of their clients is obviously like the always pessimistic donkey Eeyore in the Winnie The Pooh books.

“Someone had a massive bet on England not to win at big odds-on,” he said.

“Presume they’re keeping the Rioja in the cellar for the time being.”

As for whether they would be happy if England were then to wait another 58 years for their next title, both became dewy-eyed patriots again.

“They’ve not won a World Cup in my lifetime so maybe a two year wait would be nice,” said Stevens.

Former England captain Paul Collingwood believes the Jos Buttler-led side will play four spinners against India in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup in Guyana on Thursday. The veteran cricketer said Adil Rashid is a “golden nugget” for England and will pose a challenge against Indian batters on a spin-friendly pitch at Providence Stadium amid the prediction of rain in the encounter. “He is a golden nugget for the England cricket team. He comes on naturally in the sixth over, I think the one thing about Rashid is, that his wrong’uns seem to be so difficult to pick. And he’s got real good deception. Now in T20 cricket, deception is key. Whether it’s slower balls or being able to turn the ball both ways. And he is looking really comfortable at the moment.”

“Indian batsmen generally play spin very well, but I think Adil Rashid, the way that he is bowling at the moment, we just have to wait and see what the conditions are like. There’s a chance that England could actually go with four spinners themselves,” Collingwood said during the Star Sports Press Room.

“Obviously, Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone, who is actually an all-rounder who can bowl leg-spin and off-spin. And you never know, if the wickets are so dry, you can go with Will Jacks as well. So, plenty of options, but I think Adil Rashid is on top of his game, and this is the beauty of the World Cup. You’re gonna have a leg spinner now at the top of his game, confident, up against some of the best batters in the world. And that’s why it’s gonna be such a good spectacle, and we’re all down to see it,” he added.

On the other hand, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg said India would not bring Yuzvendra Chahal in the playing 11 and will stick to Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department.

“It’s a day game, so the wicket might be a little bit dry. But this is the good thing about the Indian squad—they’ve got depth in spin. They knew that when they got to the West Indies, they were going to play more spin than pace. But they’ve still got Siraj there that they can bring in, and they’ve got Hardik Pandya, so they’ve got more pace options if they want up their sleeve. Will they bring in Chahal? I wouldn’t bring in Chahal right now. I’d stick with Jadeja. You’ve got to stick with the playing XI that you’re going with,” Hogg said.

He added that Kuldeep and Axar will be crucial against left-handers while Jadeja would be a better option than Chahal if it’s not turning.

“I love the thought of the question, though. Chahal against England would be okay. But there are a couple of left-handers in the batting lineup for England as well, which could do a little bit of damage. Kuldeep Yadav has been bowling exceptionally well, and Axar Patel has been going well. Jadeja hasn’t been that flash, but he gives you so much in the field, as well as with the bat. And he’s a player that, in the right conditions, he can also lift with the ball. If it’s not turning and if it suits pace, I reckon Jadeja is a better option than Chahal as well. So, I’d stick with Jadeja,” Hogg added.