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Monstrous clash between Germany and Spain may decide eventual Euro 2024 winner

Monstrous clash between Germany and Spain may decide eventual Euro 2024 winner
Leroy Sane of Germany (R) in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 Round of 16 soccer match between Germany and Denmark, in Dortmund, Germany, 29 June 2024. EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK
Yanga Sibembe
By Yanga Sibembe
3 Jul 2024
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Germany and Spain are the most successful teams in European Championships history. Their respective form in this year’s tournament has seen them live up to this history so far. Only one can progress to the semifinals though.

As the 2024 chapter of the European Championships steadily approaches its climax, one of the standout fixtures for the upcoming quarterfinal phase is a tussle between tournament hosts Germany, and Spain.

The match could have easily been a final, if only the two European heavyweights did not find themselves on the same side of the road to the decider.

Regardless of this premature face-off, the encounter promises to be enthralling. Based on the form that both nations have displayed so far, the probability of the winning nation at the end of 90 or 120 minutes on Friday, 5 July, riding the momentum to ultimately strike gold in the final is odds-on.

Same, but different


Spain and Germany are two of the most successful countries in the history of the Euro. They are tied on three continental titles apiece. Although for Spain, after winning back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2012, the scent of being a European champion still lingers faintly.

Otar Kakabadze (L) of Georgia and Marc Cucurella of Spain in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 Round of 16 soccer match between Spain and Georgia, in Cologne, Germany, 30 June 2024. EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK



In contrast, the last of Germany’s three Euro successes came all the way back in 1996. During that final – played at England’s Wembley Stadium – the German’s edged the Czech Republic 2-1 via the golden goal rule.

Germany did, however, prize away the Fifa World Cup from Spain in 2014. With that World Cup success in Brazil, the Germans made it four gold medals at the global soccer spectacle.

Four years prior Spain had clinched their first and only world title when South Africa were hosts in 2010, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in the decider. Andrés Iniesta won it in extra time for the Spaniards.

Following that breakthrough World Cup success, Spain regressed somewhat. When they were dethroned as world champions by Germany at the 2014 World Cup, they could not make it out of their group – finishing in third place. In subsequent World Cups they have not been able to navigate past the round of 16.          

La Roja’s 2020 Euro experience was a bit more positive as they reached the semifinals, before losing to eventual champions Italy on penalties.

The Germans have also struggled in the World Cup since lifting it in 2014. In both the 2018 and 2022 showpieces they were ousted in the group stage.

At the Euros, since success almost three decades ago, their displays have included a couple of group stage exits, just as many semifinals – as well as a runner-up spot in 2008 when they were vanquished 1-0 by Spain in Vienna.

Three years ago Germany could only make it as far as the round of 16, before being bundled out by losing finalists England.

Nico Schlotterbeck (up) of Germany and Jonas Wind of Denmark in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 Round of 16 soccer match between Germany and Denmark, in Dortmund, Germany, 29 June 2024. EPA-EFE/ANNA SZILAGYI


Mutual respect


Despite the speed humps that both Germany and Spain have encountered in recent years, when they take on each other it will be a plain canvas that each will be looking to paint the brightest.

There is also mutual respect between the two, with each boasting world-class players, exceptional organisation and the best form of all the powerhouses present at the tournament. France, Portugal and England have been underwhelming. But not Spain and Germany.

“I’d have to say that Spain has been the most impressive side so far. They’ve comfortably won all their matches – it’ll be a tough game for both sides,” said Germany’s Joshua Kimmich. 

“It will be a good match, and one that all neutral fans can look forward to. There are no easy games, but if you want to win the tournament then you’ve got to get past Spain,” the Bayern Munich utility player added. “These top-level games are the ones that you look forward to.”

Spanish forward Mikel Oyarzabal said that he and his compatriots hold the Germans in equally high regard ahead of their mammoth battle, with the tournament hosts eyeing their first competitive win over Spain since the 1988 Euros.  

Leroy Sane of Germany (R) in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 Round of 16 soccer match between Germany and Denmark, in Dortmund, Germany, 29 June 2024. EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK



“Germany is a great team. You don’t need me to tell you that. They’ve started the tournament really strong, it’s going to be a tough game,” Oyarzabal said. “On an individual level they have players who make the difference, who have had a very good year.”

The road ahead will not be smooth for the winner of this tough tie. Whoever survives the battle will have the winner of the Portugal/France quarterfinal to contend with. Nevertheless, based on their current form, that semifinal fixture should be easier than when they clash with each other. DM

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