Stuttgart, July 3: Former champions Spain and Germany, the two favourites to lift the trophy, will clash in a marquee quarterfinal clash at MHP Arena here on Friday as the 2024 European Championship reaches the business end with the last-eight stage matches scheduled in the next few days.
A lot of attention would be on German veteran Toni Kroos as the 34-year-old midfielder is set to retire at the end of Germany’s campaign.
Ahead of the feisty encounter against Spain, Kroos’ former Real Madrid teammate Joselu spoke on the occasion and said, ‘We hope to retire Toni on Friday.’
“We hope it is his last game. It is a game that is not special because of him being here.
It is a quarterfinal against a great team. We hope to retire Toni on Friday. He’s been a friend to me. I have spoken with him a lot and he has advised me a lot.
He is fundamental for Germany and he has been for Real Madrid. We have to be careful with him on Friday,” said Joselu to reporters in the pre-game conference.
Joselu joined Real Madrid at the beginning of the 2023/24 season. The Spanish forward has been a lifelong fan of the Los Blancos and had a fairytale run with the club which saw him score a late brace against Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the competition which led their team to victory.
He scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 49 games for Real Madrid despite starting in only 18 of those games.
Joselu has now left the club and will play for Qatari side Al Gharafa in the coming season.“We know the conditions that Toni has. I think he is a fundamental player, but we cannot focus only on him.
The ball goes through him every time Germany has possession and Toni is a player who represents everything for them.
We will have to have a special eye on him so that Germany does not enjoy the game. It is very important to win to qualify. About Toni, we have to believe in ourselves. We don’t care about the other team’s players. I think Friday will be Toni’s last game,” added the former Real Madrid striker.
As the 2024 European Championship approaches its thrilling climax, the quarterfinal clash between Spain and Germany promises to be a highlight of the tournament. All eyes will be on Toni Kroos, the legendary German midfielder, as he faces potential retirement. (IANS)
Sane hoping for magic moments against Spain
Berlin, July 3: Not every defeat seems to be a problem for German winger Leroy Sane. With just days remaining until the delicate duel against Euro 2024 favorites Spain this Friday, the Bayern winger ventured into new territory by playing a friendly round of chess against club teammate Jamal Musiala.
Though Sane’s chess skills are still at a beginner’s level, leading to a loss against Musiala, the 28-year-old could prove to be a key figure in the Stuttgart arena in the quarterfinals.Despite performing at a high level as one of the tournament’s best, Sane noted, “Spain is providing certain spaces” with its game approach, reports Xinhua.The Bayern forward is hopeful for a standout moment, saying, “I get into things better now than over the months when I still felt the effects of my injury.”Sane sees the match between Spain and Germany, which he considers the best teams of Euro 2024, as the perfect opportunity to deliver an enchanting performance. The 2014 World Champion’s record is far from satisfying, with their last victory dating back to 1988 when current sporting director Rudi Voller scored twice to secure a 2-0 win.The striker icon has since turned 63, and 36 years have passed since his winning goals. Spain, the 2008 and 2012 European Champion, remains one of the toughest opponents, according to Sane. “Looking at 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, they have strong dribblers we have to keep an eye on,” he added. (AP)