Report: Spanish king wants to thank team in dressing room after final

Spain's King Felipe VI reportedly wants to visit the national team in the dressing room after Sunday's final against England to express his appreciation of their Euro 2024 performances.

Sports paper AS said that the king has made an according request to the Spanish football federation, regardless how the Berlin final ends.

King Felipe VI had earlier in the tournament also attended Spain's 1-0 group stage victory against Italy. As said the king is thrilled by the team's performances in Germany and also wants to thank them for creating enthusiasm across Spain.

Felipe VI will be accompanied at the final by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and sports minister Pilar Alegría, AS said.

English dignitaries at the match are to be led by the Prince of Wales, who is also president of the Football Association, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Prince William was also present for the Three Lions' group stage match against Denmark.

Starmer has sent a good luck message to the team, quoted by the Press Association as saying: "Whatever happens, you should know that you have united the country, and we are all behind you.

“So enjoy tonight. I know that up and down the country, we all will.”

Not present will be Geoff Hurst. the last surviving member of the starting 11 from England's 1966 World Cup triumph, the only major men's title to date.

The Sun reported that Hurst has been invited by the FA to attend the match but that the 82-year-old "politely declined" and would be rooting for the team from home.

"I couldn’t be prouder of the team, and I know the nation feels the same," the report quoted Hurst as saying. “As the last surviving member of the ’66 starting eleven, I can’t tell you how incredible it would be to see England win again."