The Euro 2024 quarterfinals are set to kick off with two heavyweight clashes that promise to deliver high-stakes football at its finest. In Stuttgart, host nation Germany will face Spain on Friday, July 5th, while Portugal and France are scheduled to meet in Hamburg on July 6th.The Germany-Spain match is being billed as a ‘preliminary final’ due to the impressive performances of both teams in the tournament so far. Germany, buoyed by home advantage and a resurgence in form, is looking to end a 40-year drought without a European Championship title. Spain, on the other hand, has been dominant throughout the tournament, winning all their matches to date.Former German national team player Kevin Kuranyi expressed confidence in the current German squad, stating, “Of course, Germany has a chance,” despite the painful memory of their 0-1 defeat to Spain in the 2008 European Championship final. The match will be played at Stuttgart Arena, with a capacity of almost 55,000 spectators, mostly locals.In the other quarterfinal, Portugal and France will face off in what could be the last time Cristiano Ronaldo, now 39, faces his idol Kylian Mbappé in a major tournament. Both teams have struggled offensively in the tournament so far, with France scoring only three goals in four games and Portugal going more than four hours without scoring. However, their defensive solidity has been noteworthy, with France conceding only one goal and Portugal’s goalkeeper Diogo Costa emerging as a hero with three penalty saves in their shootout victory against Slovenia.The winners of these quarterfinals will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for July 9th in Munich. As the tournament progresses, the pressure mounts on these football powerhouses to deliver performances worthy of their storied histories in the European Championship.
Key points
- Germany will face Spain in Stuttgart on July 5th in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals.
- Portugal and France will meet in Hamburg on July 6th for their quarterfinal match.
- Both matches feature teams with strong tournament histories and current performances.
- The winners will advance to the semifinals in Munich on July 9th.
