BBC forced into emergency broadcasting change as Wimbledon final shock changes channel’s plans
BBC bosses were forced to act quickly after Carlos Alcaraz stunned Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.
The Spaniard took just two hours and 27 minutes to dismantle the tennis great and defend his Wimbledon title.
Wimbledon coverage was supposed to continue until 6.20pm, followed by ten minutes of news and the Euro 2024 final.
But Alcaraz, 21, dismantled Djokovic so emphatically that the BBC had to stick an episode of Countryfile on at 5.20 instead to plug the gap.
Gareth Southgate‘s Three Lions take on Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin as they bid to end 58 years of hurt.
But Alcaraz had a defiant message to his compatriots.
He said: “I’ve already done my job so let’s see about the football.
“I’ll watch with my team for, sure, I don’t know where but I will be watching.
“It will be a really difficult match, I’ll watch and let’s see who wins the Euros.”
Beeb chiefs had already made a massive shift to their coverage of England’s pursuit of glory.
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The BBC were planning to begin their coverage an hour before kick-off at 7pm.
But they shifted it forwards 30 minutes as rival broadcaster ITV’s programme was slotted for 6.30pm.
During the semi-final win over Holland, it is estimated that there was a peak of 21.6million people watching on ITV.
This has given fans a big decision to make about which broadcaster to tune into.
The BBC will have regular faces presenting the show, such as Gary Lineker and Micah Richards.
While ITV will feature the likes of Laura Woods, Gary Neville and Roy Keane.
Team news has already started to emerge with Luke Shaw set to start for in place of Kieran Trippier.
England stars could be set for a major money boost should they win the final from increased wages and endorsement deals.
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.