European Championship quarter-finals - "Wusiala" or "Wamal" - the showdown of the young stars
"Musiala" or "Wirtz" - which duo shines brighter and longer in the EM? The EM quarter-final between Germany and Spain is also a big comparison of football young stars. The German magicians Jamal Musiala (21) and Florian Wirtz (21) face off against Spain's wing dream team Nico Williams (21) and Lamine Yamal (16) at Stuttgart on Friday (18.00 Uhr/ARD and MagentaTV). Together, they bring up just 79 years. That's only three more than the 38-year-old team veterans Manuel Neuer and Jesús Navas.
On the field, the paths of "Wusiala" and "Wamal" rarely cross. And their offensive play differs from each other. Williams and Yamal are true wingers, with much tempo, very tricky, unpredictable. Musiala and Wirtz are rather number tens, who dribble and outmaneuver the opponents with wit and outstanding technique. Their finish is often more pronounced. But they all unite the same job, as Wirtz described it: "We are mainly responsible for creating goals and winning games."
Matthäus amazed by Barça prodigy Yamal
All four youngsters had their notable moments in the tournament, with Musiala standing out. And after his third tournament goal against Denmark in the 2:0 win, these words of the Munich native sounded almost like a threat to the competition. "I think I can still play better." For the Bayern professional, it's already his third tournament. At his first, the Euro 2021, Musiala was 18, and his teammates still called him "Bambi."
What Barcelona kid Yamal showcases in a tournament for adults at such a young age is astonishing, but almost even more surprising is this. When the left-footed player accepted a high ball with a single flowing movement and left the defender behind in the group match against Albania, Lothar Matthäus exclaimed on RTL in amazement: "Maradona! Messi! Yamal - or also Musiala!" Asked about the comparison with the Barcelona icon Messi, Yamal said on the radio station Onda Cero: "I've just started. I hope I'll have half of his career."
Kimmich: "Let's see what happens"
Musiala, Wirtz, Williams, Yamal, or even England's Jude Bellingham - football has changed, the young ones are getting younger and already top. "Age is not a big issue in football anymore," said David Raum, who as a left outside defender could enjoy the pleasure of facing the ten-years-younger Yamal in the quarter-final. Adult versus child?
"The young one has been playing in the first team at Barcelona for some time now. And he has also established himself in the national team. That's why we don't have to talk about a child anymore. The young one has brutal quality," said the 26-year-old Leipzig player. And then he added boldly: "In the end, he's breakable too."
Right Yamal, left Turbo-forward Williams - there's something coming for the German defense, as Joshua Kimmich also noticed: "They have two good lads on the wings. Let's see what happens." His direct opponent Williams impressed Kimmich not only with his spectacular goal against Georgia in the round of 16: "One has to admit, he's playing a very good tournament. He's made top-class performances."
Musiala and Wirtz against Williams and Yamal - only one duo will continue from Stuttgart to the semi-finals in Munich and possibly the final in Berlin. Dani Olmo, born on February 21, 2003 in Stuttgart, FC Bayern Munchen, 33 caps, 5 goals, 3 EM goals
After a taste of the EM 2021 and the disappointing WM 2022 with too many missed chances, the Munich native is on his way to becoming the EM top star. The magic of dribbling he has always mastered. Now he is also clinical. National coach Julian Nagelsmann demanded a better "quote" from Musiala and got it. More goals at an EM tournament have only been scored for Germany by Gerd Muller and Dieter Muller in the 1970s.
Florian Wirtz, born May 3, 2003 in Pulheim-Brauweiler, Bayer Leverkusen, 22 caps, 2 goals, 1 EM goal
The first bang came from the 21-year-old with his goal in the opening game against Scotland. The long and successful season in Leverkusen demands its price. Double champion Wirtz looked tired in the last game against Denmark. He got a rest in the starting lineup for the quarterfinals. When he came on, he tried a lot, he looked fresher. "He is an outstanding footballer. Everyone wants to see him," said DFB sports director Rudi Voeller.
Nico Williams, born July 12, 2002 in Pamplona, Athletic Bilbao, 17 caps, 3 goals, 1 EM goal
The left winger with the distinctive haircut - blond tips in the pigtails - climbed the tribune high after the quarterfinal victory against Georgia to embrace his big brother Inaki. He also plays in Bilbao and is like a father figure for Nico. The parents had fled from Ghana. Nicholas Williams, as he is really called, is one of the most coveted strikers in world football. The buyout clause is said to be 60 million euros. Against Italy, he put in a spectacular performance with a goal. Against Georgia, he scored the 3:1 and danced with his friend Yamal after the final whistle.
Lamine Yamal, born July 13, 2007 in Esplugues de Llobregat, FC Barcelona, 11 caps, 2 goals
The day before the final, the super talent will be 17 years old. In Spain and also at the EM, he has broken all age records. When King Felipe VI was in the cabin after the first win against Croatia, he stayed with Yamal and asked him how old he was. "He's only 16?!", the monarch marveled. During the EM, Yamal, the right winger from the famous football academy La Masia, was still collecting his high school diploma.
- Despite being 18 during Euro 2021, Jamal Musiala already had playing experience with the German national team, earning the nickname "Bambi" from his teammates.2.At the same Euro 2021 tournament, Lamine Yamal, a left-footed player from FC Barcelona, impressed Lothar Matthäus with his skills and was compared to Maradona and Messi by the German football legend.
- The German duo of Musiala and Wirtz, both 21 years old, primarily focus on creating goals and winning games for the German national team.
- Opposing them in the quarter-finals of the EM are Spain's wings dream team, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. Williams, 21, and Yamal, just 16, collectively have only three more years of age than the German team veterans Manuel Neuer and Jesús Navas.
- Josha Kimmich, a key player for Germany, acknowledges that Spain's young wingers pose a significant threat to the German defense.
- David Raum, a 26-year-old Leipzig player, will be facing one of the youngest opponents, Yamal, in the quarter-final,commenting that "he has brutal quality,"
- Nico Williams, with his distinctive hairstyle, climbed the stands to embrace his brother after Spain's quarter-final victory against Georgia.
- Florian Wirtz, a member of Bayer Leverkusen, scored his first goal for Germany during the opening match against Scotland and has been praised for his outstanding play.
- Dani Olmo, another talented youngster born in 2003, scored three goals in the EM 2021 for Germany and has been lauded as a potential top star for the tournament.
- Prior to the tournament, national coach Julian Nagelsmann challenged Musiala to improve his performance and scored more goals, which he did, leading to becoming the EM top scorer.
- Barcelona and Spain's young left winger Lamine Yamal still attends high school despite his impressive performance in the EM and is regarded as one of the most coveted strikers in world football, with a buyout clause of 60 million euros.
- The Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium, also known as the Mercedes-Benz Arena or simply the Mercedes-Benz, will host the quarter-finals between Germany and Spain, with ARD and MagentaTV broadcasting the game.
