Spain vs Germany, UEFA Euro 2024 Quarterfinal LIVE Updates© AFP

Spain vs Germany Live Streaming Euro 2024 Quarter Final Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP

Host nation Germany face Spain in Friday’s Euro 2024 quarter final in Stuttgart riding a wave of belief not seen in the proud football nation for almost a decade. After a series of poor performances at major tournaments, the most decorated nation in European football history are again confident of a deep run. Germany veteran and 2014 World Cup winner Toni Kroos said Wednesday “the goal is to win the tournament”. “We want to go a lot further and in the dressing room we are very convinced we will achieve that.”

The bold stance is a far cry from nine months ago, when Hansi Flick became the first coach sacked in Germany history after a 4-1 demolition by Japan in Wolfsburg. 

His replacement Julian Nagelsmann only won one of his first four games in charge, but in March laid the groundwork for a successful Euro run. 

Nagelsmann made 11 changes to the squad, bringing in players from eventual Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and surprise runners-up Stuttgart, while axing several big names.  

But Nagelsmann’s most crucial step was bringing back Kroos, who had stepped down from international football in 2021. 

The midfielder has excelled in what will be his final tournament before retiring from football completely. 

‘Won games we would have lost’

The clash between the tournament’s two most impressive teams — and the only sides to have won three Euros titles — would be a marquee matchup for the final in Berlin. 

But with other pre-tournament favourites like France, England and Portugal stuttering, whoever emerges victorious on Friday will be favoured to go all the way to the German capital. 

With four wins in four, Spain are the only side to have tasted victory each of their matches at Euro 2024 and have scored nine goals while conceding just once. 

Germany have won three and drawn one but have faced challenges along the way. 

A player with an unblemished record of success, six-time Champions League winner Kroos believes the will to win comes “only through experience”.

“You can have a winning mentality or belief, you can live it, but it’s hard to convey it in conversations. 

“You have to go through experiences and that’s how your belief grows more and more.”

Kroos pointed to the “difficult situations” which have honed Germany’s tenacity. 

“Against Hungary we had difficult moments, against Switzerland we were behind. Versus Denmark things did not go so smoothly,” Kroos said, explaining “something like that helps you get through tough phases, stay calm and believe in yourself”.

“We now have a different belief. We are now winning games or at least not losing games that we were clearly losing in the past.”

‘Eventually, they all understand’

Kroos will do battle against Spain, the country he has lived in for the past decade.

He said his knowledge of the Spanish players from his time at Real was no clear advantage, saying “they’re all pretty well known. 

“I don’t think we’re expecting any big surprises.”

The 34-year-old felt underappreciated in Germany, which motivated his decision to leave Bayern Munich for the Spanish capital in 2014. 

Bayern powerbroker Uli Hoeness was particularly critical of Kroos, calling him “sideways pass Toni” and saying in 2021 “Toni Kroos has no place in modern football anymore”.

Hoeness, the man who built Bayern into a global powerhouse, clearly understands football, which made the criticism even more bizarre. 

Asked on Wednesday if the Spanish were quicker to see his value faster than the Germans, the midfielder said cooly “I’ll say it like this, some of them understand quickly, and some others need a bit more time.”

“But eventually, they all understand.”

Toni Kroos ahead of Euro 2024 Quarter-Final: Spain vs Germany.© AFP

The UEFA Euro 2024 quarter-finals are set, and we have a bunch of blockbuster games coming up. One side of the quarter-final draw is stacked with reputed heavyweights, while a couple of underdogs have also slipped in to the Top 8 and could yet go much further. The five hot favourites ahead of Euro 2024 – France, England, Portugal, Spain and hosts Germany – are still in the race for glory. The Netherlands made it through after a convincing Round of 16 victory, while Switzerland and Turkey should not be counted out based on form.

The first quarter-final game, on July 5, is arguably the game of the tournament so far. Germany and Spain have been arguably the two best teams of Euro 2024 – and the two highest-scoring nations – but one journey will end here.

But speaking of the potential game of the tournament, and the second quarter-final – Portugal vs France – may have something to say about it. The two nations played out an enthralling 2-2 draw in Euro 2020, but have underwhelmed so far with their brand of football. Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe are also yet to take the tournament by storm.

Switzerland are proving to be the giant-killers this summer. After nearly beating Germany, they dispatched defending champions Italy with ease in the Round of 16. Now, they face England, who have had to rely on Jude Bellingham‘s heroics amid some unconvincing displays.

Finally, Netherlands face Turkey in the last bout of the quarters. Turkey dumped out a strong Austria, while Netherlands won 3-0 against Romania.

Euro 2024 Quarter Final Draw in full:

1. Spain vs Germany – Friday, July 5 – Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart (9:30 PM IST)

2. Portugal vs France – Saturday, July 6 – Volksparkstadion, Hamburg (12:30 AM IST)

3. England vs Switzerland – Saturday, July 6 – Merkur Spiel-Arena, Dusseldorf (9:30 PM IST)

4. Netherlands vs Turkey – Sunday, July 7 – Olympiastadion, Berlin (12:30 AM IST)

The winner of Spain-Germany faces the winner of Portugal-France in the semis, while the winner of England-Switzerland faces the winner of Netherlands-Turkey.

Germany vs Denmark Live Streaming Euro 2024 Round Of 16 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP

Switzerland vs Germany Live Streaming Euro 2024 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP

The 2024 European Championship has been a breath of fresh air as 24 countries have been battling it out for the past week in an attempt to break through to the Round Of 16. The top two teams from each of the six groups will qualify to the next round with the four of the six best placed teams that finish third will also be guaranteed qualification. Hosts Germany, Spain and Portugal are the only three teams that have secured qualification as of now. Here are the qualification scenarios for each group heading into the final game-week

Group A: Germany vs Switzerland, Scotland vs Hungary

The Germans won their opening games against Scotland and Hungary which was enough for the hosts to guarantee their spot in the next round. In the history of the tournament, no team has ever failed to qualify for the knockout stages after getting four points which means Switzerland already have one foot in the Round of 16.

Scotland on the other hand have never qualified for the knockouts at the tournament and the side is aiming to achieve history if they were to win against Hungary in their final game. A win would take them to four points and although it would be difficult for them to overcome the six-goal difference that stands between them and the Swiss, A third place finish with four points could very likely see them qualify.

However a draw would see the side be in a very unlikely position to qualify depending on results from other groups.

Group B: Spain vs Albania, Italy vs Croatia

Spain has begun the tournament on the right note, securing qualification in the ‘Group of Death,’ in the second game week will see the side breathe a sigh of relief heading into their final fixture with Albania. Italy on the other hand will need to avoid defeat to secure their place in the next round. Croatia and Albania would both need to win to confirm qualification.

Group C: England vs Slovenia, Serbia vs Denmark

England must avoid defeat against Slovenia in their last group game to advance from Group C. A win will ensure Gareth Southgate’s team advances as group champions. If Denmark fails to beat Serbia, England will qualify regardless of the outcome against Slovenia.

Denmark and Slovenia will advance automatically as winners. Serbia will finish in the top two if they beat Denmark and Slovenia does not overcome England.

Group D: Netherlands vs Austria, France vs Poland

Poland became the first team to be eliminated from the race to the knockouts as they lost their opening two games against Netherlands and Austria.

Netherlands and France currently occupy the top two positions respectively after wins in their opening game followed by a draw against each other sees both teams at four points each and Austria not far behind with three points to their name.

If both France and the Dutch were to avoid defeat then they would guarantee qualification. However Austria will finish in the top two if they beat the Netherlands.

Group E: Ukraine v Belgium, Slovakia v Romania

This marks the first time in Euros history that all four teams have the identical number of points after two games. All four clubs know that a win on Wednesday will advance them to the round of 16, but no team can guarantee first place with a win.

A point will suffice for Belgium, who play Ukraine, and Romania, who face Slovakia.

If both games are drawn, goal difference will determine who finishes where (because all teams have the identical head-to-head points). Belgium and Romania will advance, with Slovakia aiming to be one of the top third-placed teams. Ukraine would be out.

Group F: Portugal vs Georgia, Czech Republic vs Turkey

Portugal have already qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament and they will be the table toppers if they were to avoid defeat against Georgia.

Both Czech Republic and Georgia will need to win if they want a shot at qualifying in the top two of the table. Georgia would also require Turkey to lose their game against Czech with the goal difference playing a part.

Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia and Albania are the top four best third placed teams in the tournament as of now.

Germany vs Hungary Live Streaming Euro 2024 Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch© AFP