FANS were all switching to ITV tonight for all of the big match build-up ahead of England’s heartbreaking defeat.
The 58 years of hurt will go on after the Three Lions were beaten 2-1 late on by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
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BBC and ITV were in a ratings war tonight – while their pundits are seated just yards apart at the Olympiastadion.
Both British broadcasters pulled out the big guns and went all out in their quest to attract the most viewers.
Legendary England striker Gary Lineker was on presenting duties for the Beeb, as he was joined by ex-Three Lions defenders Micah Richards and Rio Ferdinand.
And they also had former Spanish attacker Juan Mata alongside them after the Euro 2012 winner was added to the line-up late this week.
Meanwhile, on the other channel, Mark Pougatch was on hosting duties from Berlin.
They were able to call on the expertise of Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville while ex-Arsenal and England ace Ian Wright.
And it seems that their panel was the one most people said they were tuning in to pre-match.
Although some will be switching back for the game.
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One posted on X: “BBC for the game itself. Switch over to ITV for the pundits.”
Another wrote: “I prefer the pundits on ITV but prefer commentary from BBC.”
A third was torn, saying: “I prefer the pundits on ITV but the coverage on BBC.
“A real dilemma ahead. I’ve switched three times.”
A fourth wrote: “When it comes to the football, I feel like ITV have the better pundits but the BBC have better commentary.”
Another stated: “I much prefer the ITV pundits. Tempted to go the whole hog and watch the game on ITV.”
While a sixth said: “ITV objectively has the better pundits, Wrighty, Neville and Keano.”
BBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in full
Here’s how each channel will line-up:
BBC presenters:
Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman
ITV presenters:
Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods
BBC pundits:
Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden
ITV pundits:
Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina Unkel
BBC commentators:
Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan Pearce
ITV commentators:
Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight
BBC co-commentators:
Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFadden
ITV co-commentators:
Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend
We revealed earlier how the Beeb had made a last-minute change to their coverage of the Euro 2024 final.
The match is free to air and will be shown on both ITV and BBC.
But the BBC made a late change to their coverage’s start time.
The programming was expected to start at 7pm but will now begin at 6.30pm.
That brought it in line with the ITV start time, one and a half hours before the match kicks off at 8pm.
THE TIME IS NOW
ENGLAND face their destiny against Spain TONIGHT – hoping to end 58 years of hurt in the Euro 2024 final.
England vs Spain record
England have played Spain 27 times in total – here is a look at every result…
- May 1929, Spain 4-3 England – International Friendly (L)
- December 1931, England 7-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- July 1950, Spain 1-0 England – World Cup (L)
- May 1955, Spain 1-1 England – International Friendly (D)
- November 1955, England 4-1 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- May 1960, Spain 3-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- October 1960, England 4-2 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- December 1965, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- May 1967, England 2-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- April 1968, England 1-0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- May 1968, Spain 1-2 England – European Championship (W)
- March 1980, Spain 0-2 England – International Friendly (W)
- June 1980, England 2-1 Spain – European Championship (W)
- March 1981, England 1-2 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- July 1982, Spain 0-0 England – World Cup (D)
- February 1987, Spain 2-4 England – International Friendly (W)
- September 1992, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- June 1996, England 0(4)-(2)0 Spain – European Championship (W)
- February 2001, England 3-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2004, Spain 1-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- February 2007, England 0-1 Spain – International Friendly (L)
- February 2009, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2011, England 1-0 Spain – International Friendly (W)
- November 2015, Spain 2-0 England – International Friendly (L)
- November 2016, England 2-2 Spain – International Friendly (D)
- September 2018, England 1-2 Spain – Nations League (L)
- October 2018, Spain 2-3 England – Nations League (W)
Overall, England have won 14, drawn three and lost 10 matches against Spain.
