ENGLAND'S most capped player and Mersea local Peter Shilton hopes the Lions can bring it home when they take on Spain on Sunday. 

Mr Shilton, who was recently made a CBE, has been watched Gareth Southgate's team closely during the Euros campaign. 

The 74-year-old holds the England men’s team appearance record with 125 caps between 1970 and 1990.

England will play the final on Sunday against Spain, who are the bookmakers’ favourites to triumph in Berlin, where Southgate will attempt to mastermind England men’s first continental crown, having fallen short in the Euro 2020 final.

No English men’s team has made it to a major final on foreign soil before and they have the chance to become European champions for the first time this weekend.

He spoke to the Gazette about what fans can expect on Sunday afternoon. 

Mr Shilton said: “I think it’ll be a tough game. Despite Spain being the favourites, I still think we can win it and England should be confident.

Confident - Peter Shilton is feeling confident ahead of Sunday's finalConfident - Peter Shilton is feeling confident ahead of Sunday's final (Image: Steph Shilton)

“I’d start with the same line up and we have a great all-round bench.

"It’ll be a big moment if we win, having never won a men’s tournament abroad. For them to return home winners will be magnificent and I’ve never given up the belief we can win.

“I’ll either be working or watching it with Steph and our family, but the chances are I’ll be booked for a Euros final event.”

An average audience of 19.6 million viewers watched England defeat the Netherlands in their dramatic Euro 2024 semi-final, ITV has said.

And it is expected even more will tune in on Sunday. 

The final of Euro 2024 will take place at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Sunday, with kick-off at 8pm BST.