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October 25, 2024
Four months ago on June 14, 2024, the European soccer cup started in Munich, Germany. In a total of four weeks there were 51 games, leading up to the final on July 14.
In the quarter final Germany and Spain played against each other, having a tight match. Spain took the lead in the 51st minute, with a goal from Dani Olmo. Germany reacted fast to this goal, having a lot of goal chances and securing the ball more often than Spain. In the 91st minute Florian Wirtz scored a goal, putting Germany back in the game. With a score of 1-1 the game went into extra time, having four more minutes on the clock. Germany had two more close calls, to secure a goal, but the official game ended, starting the extra 30 minute extension of the game.
Even with more close calls, Germany was not able to take back the lead, being stuck on a tie. In the second half of the extension, in the 106th minute the German middlefield player Jamal Musiala played the ball toward the goal, having a big chance on scoring, yet the ball was stopped by the hand of the Spanish player Cucurella.
The stadium went wild, expecting a penalty kick for Germany since it was a handplay. But the referee was letting the game continue ignoring the objection of the players. In the 119th minute the Spanish player Merino scored a goal, putting Spain back in the lead and in the half final, as well as the final.
Jamal Musiala plays the ball towards the goal, hitting Cucurella's hand (Photo Credit: kicker.de)
The decision of the referee to not give Germany a penalty kick, changed the whole game, as well as the outcome of the European cup. Even weeks later the fans were still upset, saying they were robbed of their home cup.
Now, four months later, the UEFA (Union of the European football associations) posted an official statement, admitting that Germany should have gotten the penalty kick, which could have changed the whole outcome of not only the game, but also the European cup. The fans were upset with this statement, saying that it is coming way too late, and that it is now too late to change anything.
The German star player Toni Kroos, who is now retired, said in a public interview, “It took them three months to realize it was handball, which almost everyone actually managed to see in a second. That calms me down a lot [laughs]. Can I now call myself European champion because they’ve officially confirmed it? I don’t think so.” In 2026, there will be the World Cup and the German fans and players hope for a better outcome, especially with the UEFA decisions.
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