Germany’s quarterfinal match against Spain was the most anticipated game of EURO 2024 thus far.
It delivered everything you could’ve asked for — unless you are a Germany fan. After Dani Olmo gave Spain the lead in the 51st minute it was all set to end Spain’s way but a dagger from Florian Wirtz at the death sent the game into extra time. It was looking great for the Germans who were poised to enter the shootout as favorites, until a 119th-minute goal from Mikel Merino meant heartbreak for the home side. Here are some observations after a game that will go down in football’s history books.
Football game or wrestling match? + Spain’s brilliance
This game recorded the highest number of fouls in a game this tournament, accumulated more yellow cards than any other game this tournament, and saw the game interrupted by a player on the floor every few minutes. Some would say it looked like a diving contest between the two teams. So, it is indeed a valid question.
Both teams wanted to keep up their tempo and considering the magnitude of the game, it was bound to be filled with such incessant tackles so often, and Spain did a wonderful job forcing fouls from the Germans.
More about the Spanish game plan, the game was won in transition. The way Spain effortlessly launched counterattacks and stole the tempo while putting up a defensive masterclass and maintaining a tight, constricted midfield left German players unable to completely execute their game plan, allowing Spain to maintain the front foot, especially in the first half. Well done to Spain for the perfect execution of a brilliant plan.
The referee
Bayern Munich fans are no stranger to being on the receiving end of controversial calls this year, and this time Germany too were subjected to the cruelest of losses tonight.
In the 77th minute, Niklas Füllkrug was pulled down in the box while through on goal with a wonderful cross from Florian Wirtz and a chance to equalize. Exactly 30 minutes later, Jamal Musiala had a chance to take the lead and saw his strike hit defender Marc Cucurella’s arm. In both cases no penalty was awarded, and VAR did not ask referee Anthony Taylor to take another look, either.
Fair, subjective, or by the book? In any case, it was a double blow to Germany spirits. In an age with so much new technology and innovation in the world of sports refereeing, it seems that we have come little closer to taking the controversy out of close calls.
Ode to Joy (& Sorrow)
Germany tonight was far from a symphony. There were bright spots, and then dark ones.
First, Joshua Kimmich. A lot of Bayern fans (admittedly including myself) have been on the fence regarding Kimmich’s extension or potential sale, but Kimmich showed once again why he is so highly rated at what he does. Going forward today was a total masterclass from Kimmich on the right flank. He did well overlapping with Leroy Sané (despite problems defensively at the start), created some of the game’s very best chances, and was arguably the best German player on the pitch. Above all, he rose higher than all the Spanish defenders to keep the ball in and set up Wirtz with the equalizer that gave fans hope one last time. Euphoria was in the air as Kimmich won millions of German hearts — and gave Bayern another reason to keep him. Big game player.
Toni Kroos. Yes, it was far from his best. Yes, he was unusually aggressive and risk-taking. And yes, it was his last game as a footballer. His career didn’t get the ending it deserved, but fans got to see the legendary Toni Kroos in action for Germany on the biggest stage one final time. And you probably just couldn’t stop thinking whether or not he’d recreate THAT free kick against Sweden every time he stood up to take one tonight. So cherish the moment. We might never see a player of his caliber ever again.
And now, to Kai Havertz. It is baffling how a player of such low quality is the starting striker of a footballing nation notorious for creating world-class goalscorers. Shambolic isn’t enough to describe his performance tonight. He failed when it mattered most. Sure, he has certain strengths. But none match those of a great player. But it isn’t entirely his fault either. And that brings us to the next section.
Julian Nagelsmann is his own worst enemy
Right from the lineup announcement, fans were shocked to see last-minute replacement Emre Can start, Florian Wirtz snubbed in favor of Leroy Sané, and the worst of all, Kai Havertz starting as the striker over Niklas Füllkrug. Every single one of these choices failed tonight.
Can got extremely lucky to get away without a yellow card to his name, and was subbed off immediately at half time. Sané, while present defensively, failed to provide any attacking output or use his speed for any good. Wirtz was immediately more present and explosive and even scored the equalizer. It is impossible to understand Nagelsmann’s obsession with starting Kai Havertz, an inferior finisher, over a superior goalscorer in Füllkrug.
Nagelsmann should have done better, stuck to the basics, and not overcomplicated his lineup selection. However, he did a good job with the subs and his team took a Spain team that has only won since arriving in Germany to extra time.
And Germany hasn’t looked this good as a team in years. This was the tournament poised to reunite the nation and bring together the German footballing scene despite the tough times like home tournaments in Germany have in the past. Did it accomplish that? Maybe not, but it has certainly given this team renewed hope. This team was more than deserving to reach the semis and tonight and missed out on pure circumstance.
Germany finally has a base to build on and a manager with a strong vision in Julian Nagelsmann. It’s not all doom and gloom this time around. So pack your saxophone and keep believing, the World Cup is up next — best believe Germany is back.
What do you think of the observations? Have any of your own? Tell us in the comments below, and until next time, pack mas.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis of Germany’s crushing 2-1 loss to Spain? We have you covered with our Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. We have takes on Julian Nagelsmann’s controversial starting XI, a rundown of the scoring and substitutions, and ideas on how this all fell apart in front of an absolutely electric crowd. You can get the podcast on Spotify or below:
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
