European Football Championship - Not only Olmo is enthusiastic: Spain's heroes from the bench
Dani Olmo dedicated the dramatic entry into the Euro Championship semifinal to his injured teammate Pedri. The victory was for him, said the RB Leipzig professional after Spain's happy ending in the overtime thriller against hosts Germany.
A gesture that is common in sports but speaks volumes about the Spanish team, which has long surpassed initial expectations at this tournament and is now eagerly seeking its fourth EM title since 1964, 2008, and 2012.
With "heart and soul" against all opposition
"I'm proud to lead such players," said Spanish national coach Luis de la Fuente. The 2:1 in extra time against the German squad in Stuttgart was not only the fifth win for the Iberians in their fifth tournament game. It also showed how cohesively this team plays. How much determination and passion they possess. How much resilience. How much "heart and soul," as de la Fuente put it. The Spanish team had some luck on Friday, as in the much-discussed handball incident with Marc Cucurella or numerous missed chances by the Germans. They showed impressively how they can handle setbacks.
Pedri's substitution in the 8th minute due to a foul by Toni Kroos was the first shock, Wirtz's equalizer in the 89th minute was the second. But the Spaniards refused to be intimidated. Olmo stepped into the playmaking role and scored the 1:0 in the 51st minute, with Merino later coming on as a substitute to secure the win. Spain's heroes from the bench. They also give the three-time European champions courage for the semifinal clash against the second-place team in the World Cup, France, on Tuesday (9 p.m. CEST) in Munich.
Olmo leaves his mark on the game
Defender Daniel Carvajal, who received a red card, and defender Robin Le Normand, who received his second yellow card in the tournament, will definitely be missing against the French. Therefore, La Fuente will need fresh reinforcements from the supposed second tier. Whether Pedri, who according to the association suffered a knee injury, will be fit in time remains to be seen.
All the better for the Spaniards that they have someone like Olmo in their creative offensive hub. The 26-year-old is known to Bundesliga fans. In Leipzig, he was held back by injuries last season. At the EM, he has only been able to start in the group stage match against Albania (1:0) so far. With his technique, dynamism, and goalscoring instinct, he brings everything to make a difference in a game. As against Germany. The Man of the Match even set up the second goal for Merino. A Leipzig player and a former Dortmund player - they were a nightmare for the German team, and now they dream of the trophy.
"Pure heart," wrote the newspaper "AS" after the thrilling quarterfinal. "An unforgettable Spain," it said in "Marca." The Furia Roja has released even more euphoria in the homeland with each victory. Now, only two steps away from the silver pot, the whole country feels closer together - just like the players on the pitch.
When the body can no longer do it, then in such games we just play with the heart, the Spaniards declared after the mental battle of Stuttgart. "Football and life are not simple," Coach de la Fuente said. "This fantastic group is a great role model for that." They fight together for their great goal. Their heroes even come from the bench sometimes. And maybe that will be Spain's great title trump card.
- Luis de la Fuente acknowledged the team's resilience, stating, "I'm proud to lead such players."
- The Spanish team's victory over Germany in the semifinal of the European Football Championship was their fifth win in five tournament games.
- Dani Olmo played a crucial role in the semifinal match against Germany, scoring the opening goal and setting up Merino's second goal.
- The German squad faced a tough challenge from Olmo and RB Leipzig teammate Mikel Merino during the European Football Championship semifinal.
- With Pedri injured and Daniel Carvajal and Robin Le Normand suspended, Luis de la Fuente will need to rely on fresh reinforcements for Spain's semifinal clash against France.
- The German team suffered a setback with Toni Kroos' foul on Pedri, leading to the substitution of the injured player and potentially hindering Spain's chances.
- After the semifinal victory, Spain is just two steps away from securing its fourth European Football Championship title since 1964, 2008, and 2012.
- The emotional win against Germany brought happiness and euphoria to Spain, with the whole country uniting behind the national team.
- The resilient and determined performance of the Spanish team in the European Football Championship semifinal was hailed by many as pure heart and a great role model for football and life.
