THE CHAMPIONS BLOG: UEFA EURO EDITION #6

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

24 teams started this tournament to remember, and now only 2 remain. 2 teams are set to light the stage up in Berlin. The final matches in Munich and Dortmund didn't fail to disappoint as we were treated to some unforgettable moments, such as Lamine Yamal's amazing goal against France and Ollie Watkin's late strike against the Netherlands. This is the Champions Blog: UEFA EURO Edition. 

Day 25: 

Spain vs France (Allianz Arena, Munich)

The first semi-final took place in the Allianz Arena, with heavyweights, Spain and France lighting the stage in Munich. This is the first encounter between the two sides since the quarter-finals of EURO 2012, when Spain managed to overcome France 2-0, thanks to a brace from current Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso. This is France's first semi-final appearance since they hosted the competition in 2016, and their sixth overall. Only Germany has made more semi-final appearances, with 8. Spain are also competing in their sixth EURO semi-final, winning five times while only losing last time out, losing to Italy 4-2 on penalties in London. France was off to a flying start after scoring in just the 8th minute of the game after Randal Kolo Muani dispatched his header past Unai Simon after a beautiful pin-point cross by Kylian Mbappe met his head before going into the back of Spain's net. It was France's first open-play goal of EURO 2024 after two own-goals and a penalty were their only goals of the tournament so far. However, France's lead would last only 13 minutes, as teenage kicks struck in Munich. Lamine Yamal took the ball to his feet and scored an absolutely stunning curling effort, hitting the post before going into the France net. It would go down as one of the most historic goals of the EUROs, as Yamal becomes the youngest-ever goalscorer at the European Championship, at 16 years and 362 days, and it looks as though it would be a record that will stand for quite some time. Spain's lead would only come 4 minutes later when Dani Olmo's shot took a deflection of Joules Kounde before going into the back of Mike Maignan's net, completing the comeback for Spain. The jury is still out there on whether it was Olmo's goal or an own-goal by Kounde, but it wouldn't matter too much to Spain, as their two goals in five minutes have managed to turn things around for Luis de la Fuente's men. By the time the half ended, it was 2-1 to Spain. France's early lead wouldn't support them for too long as goals by Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo quickly canceled out Kolo Muani's early header. In the second half, France had a ton of promising chances, but Didier Deschamps's men couldn't find their goal. Fortunately for de la Fuente's men, they managed to hold onto their lead, eventually winning and sealing their place in the final. Spain's young stars make history in Munich and overcome the difficulty of France and seal their place in the final in Berlin, next Sunday. This is the first time in EURO history, that a team has won 6 games at the same European Championship finals, as Spain won all their matches so far in this competition, while France's dream ends in Munich. As well as this, this marks the end of Olivier Giroud's international career, as he announced he's to retire at the end of EURO 2024. He will end as France's record goalscorer, with 57 goals to his name. 

Picture Above: Spain youngster, Lamine Yamal scoring his stunning strike to equalize the game for Spain.

Day 26: 

Netherlands vs England (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund)

The following day, the Netherlands and England faced off each other in Dortmund, battling for the final place in the final. This is the first major encounter between the Dutch and the English since EURO 1996 when England routed the Dutch 4-1. English manager, Gareth Southgate was even part of the English team that defeated the Dutch in EURO 96. Furthermore, it's the first semi-final of the Dutch, since 2004, when they lost 2-1 to hosts, Portugal, while it's England's second consecutive semi-final, as the Three Lions potentially seek their second-consecutive final. Much like France, the Dutch were off to a flying start, scoring in just the seventh minute of the game. The hero for the Dutch was youngster, Xavi Simons, who scored an absolute thunder strike, giving the Netherlands a dream start in Dortmund. However, during the build-up of the goal, Simons looked as though he fouled Declan Rice in the build-up to the goal. The goal ended up being allowed, leaving the Dutch with one foot into the final. However, Dutch joy wouldn't last long. In the 15th minute, Harry Kane's shot was shot high after Denzel Dumfries caught his leg, causing his shot to sail over the bar. However, VAR looked at the collision between Kane and Dumfries, and the referee indicated a penalty to the English. Harry Kane stepped up for the Three Lions and managed to score his penalty with confidence and ease, bringing his England tally to a record-extending 66 goals, while scoring his third at EURO 2024. Since Kane's penalty goal, England has looked like a much better team, compared to their performances in their previous matches, and even came close to scoring again. Phil Foden looked as though he was playing his best match of the tournament so far, almost netting a stunning goal. Eventually, the half ended with a goal each for of the sides. Overall, it was a really entertaining first half, as we witnessed a new England team after Simon's goal, and managed to score 11 minutes later thanks to a penalty from their skipper. In the second half, England continued their amazing performance but that didn't stop the Netherlands from attacking too. England managed to find the back of the net in the 79th minute when Bukayo Saka looked as though he potentially grabbed the winner for England, but in the build-up to the goal, it was revealed that Keiran Trippier, the assister of the goal was offside, disallowing the goal. However, England's golden moment came right on the 90th-minute dot, when substitute Ollie Watkins scored a crucial goal right before extra time was added, sending jubilation to the fans in white and red and heartbreak for the fans in orange. Eventually, England held on for a couple more minutes, sealing their win and their place in the final in Berlin. For the first time in their history, England have qualified for a major final outside of the UK, as the Dutch head home after that late winner by Watkins. 

Picture Above: England forward, Ollie Watkins running and celebrating after scoring the winner against the Netherlands. 

And then there were two. The final is set. Spain against England. Kane vs Morata. De la Fuente vs Southgate. Bellingham vs Yamal. These two teams have overcome all the odds and are now the final two teams left in Germany. Who will lift the most prestigious trophy in European football history? Who will light the stage up in the final in Berlin? Who will end the day heartbroken and which veteran captain will lift the trophy in Berlin? The Champions Blog will return soon as the final will decide the best country in Europe.