Germany: 36 years of curse and how to postpone the farewell to Toni Kroos

That precisely the quarter-final match against Spain The fact that this could be Toni Kroos’ last in the Mannschaft is something that hurts in Germany. Spain is often referred to these days as Kroos’ “adopted country”. Not only because of his ten years as a midfielder at Real Madrid, but because the player has been in charge of speaking wonders of that time, of that club and of his life in Spain. “I don’t think it will be my last game. We will see each other again,” said Kroos from Herzogenaurach, in southern Germany, before Friday’s game.Spain is leading, they play very well. But so are we.”he added.

It is certain that Real Madrid’s farewell will be followed by the Mannschaft’s. The question is when. It could be this Friday in Stuttgart or on the 9th, in the semi-final in Munich. But Obviously in Germany, the preference is for the farewell as an international to take place by lifting the cup in the final in Berlin, on the 14th.Not only out of love for the legendary Kroos, who was a world champion in 2014 but has never been a European champion, but because all of football-loving Germany loves her.

Torres’ goal

It is also true that, from public television commentators such as former international Bastian Schweinsteiger to the political elite, they recognize, when asked, that La Roja is being the best team in this tournamentThe most immediate precedent that comes to mind for a German with a medium memory, when it comes to recent confrontations between the two teams, is the Euro 2008 final, when Spain was crowned champion in Vienna with a goal from Fernando Torres.

“How can we overcome the curse of Spain?” asked the sensationalist daily Bild these days. The newspaper recalled that Germany has not won an official match against the European champions of 2008 and 2012, the two most recent titles for La Roja, for 36 years. The defeat in the Austrian final was followed by the semi-final defeat in the 2010 World Cup, the paper continued.

The child prodigies

The person in charge of answering the question was the former international, former national coach and world champion in 1990, Rudi Völler, who is also now the director of Julian Nagelsmann’s team.“Spain has traditionally had good footballers and is currently playing at the highest level. Its classic style has been joined by two exceptional players, which makes it even more dangerous. It is impressive to watch them.”he replied. He was referring to the two child prodigies of La Roja, as Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are recognised throughout Germany. The former is remembered every time he is mentioned for being 16 years old and playing for Barcelona; the latter, for Athletic Bilbao and at 21, for his speed and versatility.

For Völler, the key to beating them lies in three players from the Mannschaft who are also characterised by their speed, Leroy Sané, Maxi Beier and Chris Führich. These abilities are joined by those of the goalscorer Jamal Musiala, the strategist Kroos, the defensive monster that is Antonio Rüdiger and the all-rounder Niclas Füllkrug, the newspaper continues.

Bild’s recipe, with input from Völler, is virtual. For now, in Germany there is something more than the usual “respect” for a rival that is known to be difficult. Kicker, the leading organ of the German sports press, asked without hesitation how the “brothers” Yamal and Williams Jr. can be “stopped.”“To play like this at 16 is incredible,” admitted his Barcelona teammate and captain of the Mannschaft, Ilkay Gündogan.

2024-07-04 09:00:31
#Germany #years #curse #postpone #farewell #Toni #Kroos