BBC commentator for Euro 2024 final between England and Spain reveals how he uses FIFA to prepare for big games
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Ian Dennis has revealed the bizarre technique he uses to prepare for big games.
The iconic voice of radio football, who will be commentating on tomorrow’s Euro 2024 final between England and Spain, explained that he plays his son’s video games to polish up his broadcasting skills.
Dennis, who has been commentating for the BBC for 22 years, told the Beeb’s Football Daily podcast that he plays Fifa – now known as EA Sports FC – to make sure he gets every player’s name and number right.
The 52-year-old explained: “In all seriousness, when I’m doing the Champions League games, I do actually play my son’s Fifa.
“The graphics are so great these days and the number association [helps].
“That’s how I would normally prepare for a Champions League match.”
He added: “Say for Instance I was doing Borussia Dortmund, I would play Borussia Dortmund vs Borussia Dortmund and get the number association.
“And I would get certain sort of thumbnail descriptions of players in my head.”
Although Dennis will have to rely on his encyclopaedic knowledge of football and his experience of commenting on England’s stars in the past to get things right for tomorrow’s final.
He explained: “However, I haven’t got a console out here with me [in Berlin].
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
England's route to the Euro 2024 final
ENGLAND began their Euros final campaign in Germany on June 16.
The team topped Group C despite only winning one match.
But that’s all behind them now as they prepare to take on Spain in the final on July 14.
Here’s their route to the final:
June 16 – vs Serbia: England win 1-0 with a goal from Jude Bellingham in the 13th minute.
June 20 – vs Denmark: Ended 1-1 after Harry Kane’s 18th minute strike was cancelled out by Morten Hjulmand.
June 25 – vs Slovenia: The match ended goalless but England topped the group with five points.
June 30 – vs Slovakia: In the last 16 clash Jude Bellingham saved England from being knocked out with a 91st minute equaliser. In extra time Harry Kane secured the win for the Three Lions.
July 6 – vs Switzerland: The quarter-final ended 1-1 after extra time with Bukayo Saka‘s reply to Breel Embolo’s strike. England won 5-3 on penalties.
July 10 – vs Netherlands: Another last gasp goal – this time by Ollie Watkins – saw England head into the final against Spain. Harry Kane scored from the spot to cancel out Xavi Simons’ 9th minute goal.
July 14 – vs Spain: England are in their first final on foreign soil and will be hoping to see off the challenge of Spain who won the Euros in 1964, 2008 and 2012.
“But fortunately, because I’ve seen Spain in five of their six games in this tournament, I should know the Spanish players pretty well.”
Dennis will join John Murray on the BBC‘s radio commentary for the final tomorrow night as England look to end their 58-year wait for a major trophy in the men’s game.
The Three Lions have resiliently pushed their way through to the final in Berlin, relying on penalties, extra time goals and late winners to earn their spot in the Olympic Stadium.
But regardless of whether they are able to go one step further than their 2021 Wembley heartache, Gareth Southgate‘s brave lions have already made history.
The 26-strong squad have become the first men’s England team to reach a major final on foreign soil.
While Southgate himself has made history as the first England men’s senior manager to make two major finals.
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