THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION #5

 THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION (THE EURO BLOG)

Over the two days of the quarter-finals, we were treated to some of the best matches yet of the tournament. In four cities across Germany, we witnessed late drama, the nerve-recking spot kicks after extra time, and the shocking elimination of our hosts. That's right, Germany is out of the EUROs, and we're down to our final four. This is the Champions Blog: UEFA EURO Edition.

Day 21:

Spain vs Germany (MHPArena, Stuttgart)

Portugal vs France (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg)

The quarter-finals kicked off in Stuttgart, as the hosts took on the only team with a 100% record at the competition, Spain. This is their first meeting at the European Championship between Spain and Germany since the 2008 final when Fernando Torres scored for the Spanish to give them their first European Championship title since 1964, in Vienna. Both teams were favorites to progress and potentially win the whole competition, but only one could advance to the semi-finals. However, Spain was off to a poor start, having lost their star midfielder, Pedri through an injury in his knee. After just 10 minutes of play, Pedri had to be subbed off while Dani Olmo took his place. Germany's best chance came within 20 minutes when Kai Havertz had a free header, but was calmly saved into the hands of Unai Simon. Eventually, the half would end with both teams drawing 0-0, with all to play for in the second half. 6 minutes into the second half, Spain had found the lead in Dani Olmo, who was able to finish a composed first-time finish, assisted by an inch-perfect pass by 16-year old, Lamine Yamal. It was the first time that Spain had managed to score against the host nation of the EUROs. Germany looked like a different team after Olmo's goal, attacking with full confidence, while constantly catching Spain off-guard. With time running out, Germany's goal finally came, as Florian Wirtz's half-volley hit the post from close range before eventually going into the back of Unai Simon's net. It was the first normal goal that Spain conceded at EURO 2024, as they conceded an own goal in their Round of 16 encounter against Georgia. As a result of Wirtz's last-minute equalizer, the game had to go to extra time. After almost 30 minutes of constant attacking threats from both sides, Spain managed to break German hearts in the 119th minute, when Mikel Merino's header caught Neuer off-guard, as his header rippled into the German net. Spanish jubilation was shown as the supporters in red and yellow celebrated while the supporters in white shed tears of sorrow. As Germany sprung into one more attack hoping to bring the game to penalties, Dani Carvajal made a silly challenge on Jamal Musiala, awarding the Real Madrid defender a second yellow card, indicating his send-off. However, it wouldn't matter too much for Luis de la Fuente as Spain held on to a 2-1 win. This defeat marked the end of Toni Kroos's career, who announced his retirement once EURO 2024 was over, as he ended his final match with a failed dream to win his first European Championship. As for Spain, the dream continues as de la Fuente's new and young team marches onto the semi-final and will face either France or Portugal in Munich. 

Shortly after that dramatic afternoon in Stuttgart, the action turned to Hamburg for quarter-final number two, between Portugal and France. This is the third consecutive encounter between Portugal and France at the European Championship, with them meeting in the 2016 final in Saint-Denis, with Portugal winning 1-0 to win their first European Championship, and again in 2021 in Budapest, with the teams drawing 2-2 in the group stage. After 45 minutes of playing in possession and a lack of major chances, the half ended with the scores tied 0-0, as the majority of the half saw the teams just playing in possession. The best chance came for France in the 19th minute, when Theo Hernandez's long-range shot was calmly saved by Diogo Costa, keeping the scores at 0-0. In the 61st minute, Bruno Fernandes was one-on-one with Mike Maignan, but the French keeper's reach proved the better of the Man United captain. Not too long later, Portugal came close again, when Vithina's first-time shot was cleverly saved by Maignan, keeping the scores tied. Eventually, no team would find the breakthrough for the rest of the half, resulting in the game going to extra time. However, despite both teams having another 30 minutes to potentially find a winner here in Hamburg, no teams took their chances, and we had to go to penalties. This means France is still yet to score a goal in open play, with their only goals from two own goals and a penalty by Kylian Mbappe. Portugal is the only team by far to have won a penalty shootout, having won 3-0 against Slovenia in the last 16. The first five penalties were calmly scored, with three kicks from France (Ousmane Dembele, Youssouf Fofana, Jules Kounde) and two kicks from Portugal (Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva). Then came Joao Felix, stepping up to take his country's third penalty. Unfortunately, Felix's shot hit the post, becoming the first penalty that Portugal missed. Unfortunately for Portugal, the rest of France's penalties were scored, meaning that the French have finally avenged their 2016 final defeat, here in Hamburg. This marks the end of Cristiano Ronaldo's last European Championship finals for Portugal, as he is set to retire in a few years, while France is through to their first semi-final since 2016. 

Picture Above: French players running towards the goal, celebrating their victory in the penalty shootout. Spain players running towards the corner flag to celebrate with their fans, after scoring a last-minute winner against Germany.

Day 22:

England vs Switzerland (Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf)

Netherlands vs Turkey (Olympiadstadion, Berlin)

The following day, the attention turned to Dusseldorf, for quarter-final match number 3, between England and Switzerland. This is the first time in both teams' respective histories that they're competing in consecutive quarter-finals in the EUROs. England qualified for the quarter-finals after surviving a major scare against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen, while Switzerland qualified for the last 8 after stunning the reigning champions, Italy in Berlin. The match started with both teams having a fair amount of possession, with little chances being made from it. Both teams have had a strong possession of the game, but they've both failed to register a single shot on target, meaning all is to play for in Dusseldorf in the second half. After half an hour of playing in possession, Switzerland finally broke the deadlock thanks to Breel Embolo, who scored with a simple tap-in after Ndoye's pass was deflected off John Stones before Embolo tapped the ball into the back of Pickford's net. This goal gave Switzerland a much-deserved lead, who were only 15 minutes away from their very first semi-final in competitive history. However, the Swiss cowbells were quickly shut off and the loud chants of 'God save the King' echoed around the Dusseldorf Arena. England, within just five minutes of Embolo's opener, have managed to equalize the game. Bukayo Saka netted a stunner for the Three Lions from far out. It was such a sweet strike, hitting the post before going past Yann Sommer, making it 1-1. Eventually, normal time would finish soon after, and with the scores still tied, we will be going to extra time. However, 30 minutes still couldn't separate the sides, so penalties will decide who plays in the final four. Cole Palmer stepped up first for England and managed to score his penalty with nothing but pure confidence. Manuel Akanji stepped up next for Switzerland, but his penalty was cleverly saved by Jordan Pickford, giving England a major advantage. After the next 6 penalties were scored (3 from England and 3 from Switzerland), it all came down to Trent Alexander-Arnold. If he scored, England would be through to the semi-finals. In the end, Alexander-Arnold managed to arrow his penalty into the net, and the win was settled for England. For the second consecutive tournament, England will be in the semi-finals, while Switzerland's hunt for a semi-final place in a major tournament goes on.

A couple hours later, the Netherlands took on Turkey in the Olympiadstadion, as the Berlin stadium hosted its final match before the final. Ronald Koeman's men are playing in their first quarter-final match since EURO 2008, and look to progress to their first semi-finals since 2004. Turkey's last appearance in the knockout phase of a European Championship came in EURO 2008, where they made it all the way to the semi-finals of EURO 2008. They look to match this feat again in Germany. 35 minutes into the game, it looked like they would achieve a semi-final place once again, as they managed to take the lead. Defender, Samet Akaydin headed Turkey in front, 10 minutes before the end of the first half. After it looked like the ball would head out for a Netherlands throw-in, Arda Guler curled the ball into the Netherlands's penalty area, and Akaydin was there to head it past Vergrubben to make it 1-0 to Turkey. That goal also turned out to be Akaydin's first goal for his country. Eventually, prominent defending from Turkey would lead them to go into the half holding onto a slim 1-0 lead. As things stood, Turkey was only 45 minutes from a record-equalling semi-final against England in Dortmund. After 25 minutes, the supporters in Orange were on their feet celebrating with passion, as the Dutch had managed to equalize. Stefan de Vrij scored from a Dutch corner which was cleverly delivered and produced by Memphis Depay and Jerdy Schouten. It was even De Vrij's first international goal in nearly a decade. Things would only get better for the Dutch, as only six minutes later, Koeman's men were ahead for the first time of the evening. There was a scramble in the Turkey penalty area, as the ball looked like it came off Cody Gakpo from one angle. However, after careful viewing, it was revealed that Mert Muldur's leg touched the ball before going into the net, making it go down as an own goal from Muldur. It wouldn't matter for Ronald Koeman or the Dutch supporters, as that goal gave them the lead for the first time in the evening. It would stay that way for the rest of the match, as it was a victory for the Dutch. They were through to their first semi-final in 20 years and their sixth overall. Unfortunately, that means it's the end of Turkey's underdog story, who ended up as remarkable quarter-finalists, as they bow out of EURO 2024 with their heads held high. The Dutch will face off against England in Dortmund in the coming week. 

Pictures Above: England players running around in celebration after winning their penalty shootout against Switzerland. Netherlands players celebrate after they scored their winner against Turkey.

Just like that, we're down to the final four. Only one-sixth of the teams that started this tournament not too long ago remain in Germany, while another four including the hosts, exit the tournament with broken dreams. Munich and Dortmund will host their final matches before the grand final in Berlin on Sunday. Only one of these four teams will end up as the brand-new champion of Europe. The Champions Blog will return soon for the semi-finals.