The Euro 2024 soccer tournament has been a rollercoaster of emotions, surprises, and unforgettable moments. Hosted in Germany, the competition has now boiled down to the final two teams, with the winner set to be crowned on Sunday. The tournament has showcased some of the best talents in European soccer, and fans have been treated to a series of thrilling matches.
The semi-finals were nothing short of spectacular. Spain managed to edge out France with a 2-1 victory, while England overcame the Netherlands in a dramatic fashion. These matches were filled with intense moments and showcased the high level of competition that Euro 2024 has brought to the table.
Several experts have weighed in on the semi-final matches. Gab Marcotti emphasized that goals can change the dynamics of a game, especially unexpected ones. He highlighted the significant impacts made by key players like Lamine Yamal, Ollie Watkins, and Dani Olmo. Sam Marsden praised Rodri's outstanding performance for Spain, both with and without the ball, suggesting that he could be a contender for the Ballon d'Or if Spain wins.
Mark Ogden pointed out that players are being pushed to exhaustion, with key figures like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham struggling due to fatigue. James Olley commended Gareth Southgate for leading England to another final despite criticism, noting his impressive record in major tournaments. Julien Laurens criticized Didier Deschamps' defensive tactics, which failed against Spain, and his reliance on Kylian Mbappé.
One of the standout players of the tournament has been Lamine Yamal. At just 16 years old, Yamal has been impressive for both Barcelona and Spain. His impact has been compared to Wayne Rooney's performance at Euro 2004. Yamal has been praised for his maturity, decision-making, and ability to perform under pressure, making him a key player to watch in the final.
There has been a general consensus among writers against having a third-place playoff at the Euros or the World Cup. Many believe that it lacks importance and adds unnecessary strain on the players. The focus should remain on the final and the teams competing for the championship.
Predictions for the final match between England and Spain are varied. **Gab Marcotti** believes that England might edge out due to their individual match-winners and Southgate's approach.
Mark Ogden predicts a win for Spain, citing their superior possession game and England’s fatigue issues. Sam Marsden also favors Spain, based on their defined style and positional balance.
James Olley chooses Spain over England, highlighting their quality against better sides throughout the tournament. Julien Laurens, however, optimistically predicts an England victory despite acknowledging Spain’s superiority.
England's path to the Euro 2024 final has been described as unique, characterized by “attitude,” “character,” and “indescribable” qualities. This has not necessarily made their soccer more attractive, but it has significantly improved their ability to secure wins.
England is now headed to Berlin for a final against Spain, facing destiny and history. Historically, England often found ways to lose despite favorable conditions, but the current team appears to have overcome these historical burdens, focusing on resilience and tactical adaptability.
Jude Bellingham praised the team's attitude, mentality, and experience after their semi-final victory over the Netherlands. Ollie Watkins scored an injury-time winner in the semi-final, showcasing the team's resilience.
Head coach Gareth Southgate emphasized the team's tactical intelligence and ability to adapt with effective Plan B and C strategies when things don't go as planned. Contrary to expectations, England has shown it can progress even without stellar performances from its star players like Bellingham, Harry Kane, or Phil Foden.
Although Germany did not win Euro 2024, losing in the quarterfinals, there is a positive sentiment about the team's future. The multicultural squad aimed to symbolize a more united Germany amidst societal divides, reconnecting emotionally with fans after years of disconnect.
The team played exciting, risky, attacking football, with key players like Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Antonio Rüdiger, and Joshua Kimmich. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann proved to be a superb appointment, constantly adapting during games and addressing doubts about his intensity and style.
The fan response to Germany's performance has been overwhelmingly positive. Over 78,000 out of 94,000 polled by Kicker felt emotionally connected to the team.
Despite the disappointment of losing to Spain, pride has returned among fans for the team's performances. Fans celebrated various aspects like inclusive squad announcements and viral performances by saxophone player Andre Schnura.
Germany's international football will resume with Nations League games against the Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary. Preparation for the next World Cup cycle begins with qualifying group announcements in December 2024.
Germany’s chances for winning the World Cup have improved post-Euro 2024 under Nagelsmann’s leadership, with a focus on transitioning smoothly following the retirements of legendary players like Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer.
However, the expanded World Cup format with more teams (48) across a longer duration (39 days) presents an additional challenge.
In a related event, The Killers paused their concert at London’s O2 Arena to celebrate England’s Euro 2024 semi-final win. They projected the final moments of the game behind the band, leading to a euphoric celebration with confetti during their performance of “Mr. Brightside.” Videos capturing this celebration went viral on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, but UEFA has been removing these videos, claiming copyright infringement.
Some videos contained only seconds of live match footage and could be considered “transformative” under fair use. Photographer Bella Falk had her video removed and is now banned from Instagram for a month due to copyright infringement.
There is criticism towards UEFA for overreaching by striking down content they arguably have no claim over, and disappointment extends to X and Instagram for complying with UEFA's takedown requests.
As Euro 2024 reaches its climax, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. The final match between England and Spain promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams showcasing their strengths and resilience. While predictions are divided, one thing is certain: Euro 2024 has been a tournament to remember, filled with unforgettable moments, standout performances, and a celebration of soccer at its finest. Fans around the world eagerly await the final whistle to see who will be crowned the champions of Europe.
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