He was not destined for Germany. . . In the end, the overloaded Sommermärchen ended in the same heartbreaking way as the original. While Germany lost in extra time to Italy at the 2006 World Cup, this time the pain came from Spanish midfielder Mikel. Merino (119th).
Spain’s backward goal was even more dramatic as Germany controlled slightly to stay alive after 90 minutes. Florian Wirtz had equalled the advantage of Dani Olmo (52nd) with a nice finish with a minute to go.
Then came extra time, in which both teams had chances. But when Jamal Musiala saw a shot blocked by Marc Cucurella’s handball, Merino found a way out. There is no doubt that Cucurella’s blocking will fill the airwaves and the communicative shows in Germany. And without a doubt, the legislation that regulates handball wants to be clarified.
With all this in mind, Germany did not leave the tournament for this very moment. It was a game with smart margins and Spain looked a little more mature for the full 120 minutes and will now be the favourites to win their fourth European Championship.
When you think that France, Portugal, England and the Netherlands have disappointed in this tournament, this match looked like a final. And it is a victory for Germany.
In fact, Germany’s presentation at this tournament sums up a remarkable change, which began with the appointment of Julian Nagelsmann as head coach and the installation of Rudi Völler as sporting director.
With those two men at the helm, Germany has been reshaped in recent months. This transformation began in March, when Germany beat France (2-0) and the Netherlands (2-1).
From then on, Nagelsmann began coaching this team as a club team. The arrival of Toni Kroos has given Germany a greater structure. Fans may disagree with the likes of Kai Havertz and Ilkay Gündogan, but the fact that Nagelsmann has remained true to his confidence is admirable.
Does this mean that all of his decisions were necessarily correct?Nagelsmann is still a very young coach and will be informed from this tournament.
In fact, there are some parallels with 2006. Also at that time, Germany recovered from an era of weakness and began to regain some structure. The 2006 tournament followed a final defeat at Euro 2008, a semi-final defeat at the 2010 World Cup. Cup (both times against Spain) and then a semi-final defeat against Italy at Euro 2012.
Under the leadership of Joachim Löw, Germany has taken something from each of these tournaments. There are signs that this home tournament may once again be the beginning of a new beginning. An era of strength that Germany returned to the most sensible in the pantheon. of world football.
However, some adjustments will have to be made first. Kroos is going to retire. Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer and Ilkay Gündogan would probably have also played their last tournaments abroad.
In the case of Aleksandar Pavlovic, Germany in one position has a Kroos clone in a position to grow in power. Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have surpassed Müller by one position in this tournament. Havertz, which has been unfairly criticized by fans, has established itself as one of the No. 9/10 most attractive on the planet.
Other skills are also on the way. RB Leipzig recently signed Assan Ouedraogo, one of the most skilled young midfielders in Europe and the most skilled in Germany. Mainz attacking midfielder Brajan Gruda has been described as the next Müller.
These names are exciting, but on their own they probably couldn’t usher in a new era. Clubs in the DFB and Bundesliga are now tasked with helping the next generation. The U-17s recently won the European Championship and the World Cup, but those youngsters will now have to play with Wirtz, Musiala, Pavlovic and Co.
However, it turns out that a first step has been taken. Although today’s defeat against Spain is disappointing, it does not seem like an end, but a beginning.
Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also appeared in The Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other media outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth and Threads: @manuveth
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