European Football Championship - Spain's fun soccer players ready for Germany duel
Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal, after Spain's sovereign entry into the EURO quarter-finals, issued a confident battle cry against the German team. "I don't see any team better than ours. We have great enthusiasm to reach the semi-finals," said the 16-year-old super-dribbler about the upcoming encounter with Germany.
After another brilliant performance in the 4:1 victory against the plucky outsider Georgia on Sunday evening in Cologne, the Spanish team is not afraid of anything or anyone in the tournament, not even the EM host. "We are ready for all possible circumstances and hope that we can play three more games," said Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente before the quarterfinal on Friday in Stuttgart.
Spain dreams of a fourth title
Georgia's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili acknowledges: "Spain is a great team and can easily win the European Championship." The Spaniards believe this themselves. "Our goal from the first day was to win, to keep winning," said Yamal about Spain's convincing EURO performances so far.
De la Fuente has formed a team where one wheel fits into another and possesses both the necessary discipline and refreshing playing joy. Above all, the quick-witted wingers Yamal and Nico Williams (21) are responsible for this, who harmonize beautifully on and off the field.
Wing duo thrilled
On Sunday, the two young stars first performed a joint celebration dance on the grass after Williams scored the interim goal at 3:1. After the final whistle, they challenged each other to the old children's game "Scissors, Stone, Paper" to determine who would drink from a water bottle first. "We complement each other well," said Williams about the relationship with Yamal.
One need not be a prophet to sense: The German outside defenders Joshua Kimmich and David Raum are in for a tough time. These unbothered fun-loving footballers are lightning fast and hardly separable from the ball - and despite their youth, they are hardly forgettable from the team. "They are two very important players for us and give us this youth and innocence that is sometimes so important," said Rodri about the duo.
The 28-year-old from English champion Manchester City is the head of the team, which hardly reveals any weaknesses. "He is the focal point of our game," praised de la Fuente of the central midfielder. If there is anything to criticize about the Spaniards, it is that they sometimes get lost in their beautiful combination play and momentarily lose focus. "We need to continue working on our strengths and get even better," demanded de la Fuente accordingly.
Respect for Germany, but no fear
Not only the coach is aware that a different caliber awaits them. "We are facing a football power. We will face a great opponent with individually strong players. It will be a duel at eye level, in which small details will decide," warned the 63-year-old and stated: "The next game could also be the final."
Both teams have faced each other before. In 2008, Spain won the EURO final against the German team with a 1:0 score - just as two years later in the WM semi-finals. The overall record of both teams is almost even. Of the 26 encounters so far, Germany has won nine and Spain eight. Nine times there was no winner. That is excluded on Friday.
The Spaniards are already looking forward to the next knockout challenge against Julian Nagelsmann's team. "We have a wonderful team and believe in ourselves. If we continue like this, we still have a lot to offer. If we play on this level again, we can win," said Williams. Rodri looked at the DFB team with confidence: "I'm convinced that they're not happy to face us now."
- Spain aims to secure their fourth title in the European Football Championship, following their impressive performances in the tournament.
- Germany, as the host of the European Championship, will face Spain in the Round of sixteen, with Luis de la Fuente's team showing no fear.
- Spain's youthful duo of wingers, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, have been instrumental in Spain's successful EURO journey, with their quick feet and excellent teamwork.
- The DFB selection, led by the experienced Joshua Kimmich and David Raum, will have their work cut out for them, as the Spanish wingers present a constant threat to the German defense.
- Luis de la Fuente has successfully blended discipline and joy in his team, creating a formidable force that has already dominated several teams in the tournament, including Georgia.
- The European Football Championship is entering its later stages, with both Germany and Spain determined to progress in the tournament and reach the finals.
- Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simón and defensive midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez have played crucial roles in ensuring Spain's strong tournament progress, providing stability and support to the team's attack force.
- The youthful enthusiasm of Spain's players, such as 16-year-old super-dribbler Lamine Yamal, has been a key factor in Spain's success at the European Championship, inspiring the team and captivating European football fans.
- The European Football Championship quarterfinal between Spain and Germany promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to declare war on each other and secure their place in the next round of the tournament.
