Football

Europe has crowned a new champion. As the sun rose over the German grounds that witnessed the month-long conquest for European supremacy, the air still reverberated with the vamos and viva chants. The dramatic German summer fairytale came to its worthy nail-biting end with the winds of change, the winds of a Spanish second coming.Football could not make it home neither could any dark horse reign as the Spanish Armada bore the winds of chings behind its sails to recapture part of its empire that it ruled over till a decade ago. And it made sure no question arose over its authority. Spain, under Luis de la Fuente, dominated the tournament in every sense of the word. From finishing first in the group of death — which had holder Italy and World Cup semifinalists Croatia — with all wins and no goals conceded, through the difficult path to the final facing world-class opponents in host Germany and former world champion France to the final against the talent-filled golden generation of England, Spain left no stones unturned.W. W. W. W. W. W. W.#EURO2024While disappointments for Spain in the last decade was a lesson on how tactics become outdated, Spanish success in Germany is a lesson on how to take what is outdated and transform it to the requirements of time. It did the same to set off the first era of Spanish dominance which began with a Euro Cup victory in 2008.Reeling from failures at big stages, then-Spanish coach Luis Aragones realised that his players were not physical enough for the style of play most teams adopted then and decided to bring in short passes to the game, something a certain Pep Guardiola was trying out with Barcelona club then.The first era of Spanish supremacy could also be called the era of Tiki Taka as its midfield bamboozled opposition players with quick short passes, controlling possession, and moving the ball around with ease. The short passes brought Spain its second national title and first since the 1964 Euro Cup in the form of the 2008 Euro championship. The team followed it up with the World Cup two years later and went on to successfully defend its continental title two years later.Reality strikesBut then came the new reality. Being at the receiving end of Tiki Taka for six years gave other teams enough time to decipher it and work out counter-measures. Spain did not see the need to keep updating its gameplay and crashed out of the 2014 World Cup in the group stages, spelling out the beginning of the end.But Spain’s obsession with passes and possession grew with the years, but that obsession, like all obsessions, only led to more tragedy. Spain also failed at transition of generation as it struggled to find replacements for its champion players and found it difficult to strike the chemistry between those it managed to find. And its exit from 2022 World Cup, bowing out to Morocco in penalty shoot-out, after not managing to score seemed like the end of the once-feared La Roja.The World Cup defeat paved the way out for manager Luis Enrique, who failed to replicate his success with Barcelona with the national team, and the lesser known de la Fuente took over.Familiar figureThough de la Fuente was new to the global limelight, he was well known to the Spanish players, many of whom played under him at junior levels. de la Fuente started his shifts with Spain national teams in 2013 when he became the manager of the under-19 outfit. And while their seniors went farther off their game, de la Fuente led the youngsters to glory in the European championships in 2015. He became the manager of the under-21 side in 2018 and brought home the European title for the category a year later.When de la Fuente took over the senior side, he knew what he had to do. And one year later, Spain seniors got its first silverware in 11 years in the form of UEFA Nations League and is now the champion of Europe.New identityde la Fuente spread out the game from midfield to the flanks, and with the arrival of young guns Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to set the wings on fire, Spanish football is getting a new identity.Runner-up England — which had a bumpy ride to the final circumventing the odds, depending on individual brilliance and last-minute stroke of luck — gave the champion an unexpected fight in the final. Though arguably better teams than England stumbled on the way, the fact that England came close to a football homecoming for back-to-back tournaments could give its coach Gareth Southgate some legitimacy.First actAs the tournament became the first act for a handful of new stars with the likes of Lamine Yamal, the young player of the tournament, Nico Williams and Arda Guler, some goodbyes were inevitabe. With players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Luka Modric at their sunsets and Toni Kroos calling it a day, the winds of change are whistling through the whole of Europe.

Xherdan Shaqiri, the Swiss football legend, has bid farewell to international football after an illustrious career spanning 14 years. The 32-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Chicago Fire in the United States, announced his retirement on Monday, leaving behind a legacy as one of Switzerland's most decorated players.Shaqiri made his international debut in March 2010 at the tender age of 18. Since then, he has amassed an impressive 125 caps for the Swiss national team, becoming the second most-capped player behind his teammate Granit Xhaka. The former Bayern Munich and Liverpool star represented his country at four World Cups and three European Championships, showcasing his exceptional talent on the global stage.Throughout his international career, Shaqiri has been a pivotal figure for Switzerland, contributing with both goals and assists. He is Switzerland's fourth top goalscorer with 32 goals, trailing only Alexander Frei, Kubilay Turkyilmaz, and Max Abegglen. His memorable performances include scoring in the penalty shoot-out against England in the Euro 2024 quarter-final, which turned out to be his final game for the Nati.In a heartfelt message on social media, Shaqiri expressed his gratitude for the unforgettable moments he experienced with the Swiss national team. "Seven tournaments, many goals, 14 years with the Swiss national team and unforgettable moments. It's time to say goodbye to the national team. Great memories remain and I say to you all: thank you!"Shaqiri's retirement marks the end of an era for Swiss football. His exceptional skills, unwavering determination, and infectious enthusiasm have inspired a generation of young players. He leaves behind a legacy of success and will be remembered as one of the greatest Swiss footballers of all time.

Gareth Southgate's pragmatic approach has transformed England's fortunes, leading them to successive European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final. Despite criticism for their cautious style, England's resilience and determination have proven effective.Southgate took over a team in disarray after their humiliating Euro 2016 exit to Iceland. He has instilled a sense of belief and unity, creating a team that is greater than the sum of its parts.England's success is not based on flair or panache. They have relied on a solid defense, a strong midfield, and a clinical attack. Their ability to grind out results and win matches in the dying minutes has been crucial.Southgate's attention to detail extends to penalty shootouts. He has implemented a rigorous training program that has helped England overcome their historical struggles in this area.Despite his success, Southgate has faced criticism for his perceived conservatism. However, he has defended his approach, arguing that it is necessary to maintain continuity and confidence within the team.Southgate's pragmatic style may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but it has been highly effective. He has transformed England into a team that is capable of competing with the best in the world.

In the aftermath of Spain's thrilling European Championship semi-final victory over France, midfielder Rodri emerged as a pivotal figure, embodying the team's collective spirit and tactical acumen.As the match unfolded, Rodri's influence extended beyond his impressive passing statistics. He provided a calming presence amidst the chaos, orchestrating Spain's play with precision and composure. His early booking, taken to prevent Kylian Mbappe from breaking clear, demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice for the team.Rodri's leadership extended to acknowledging the contributions of his teammates. He praised Lamine Yamal not only for his stunning goal but also for his defensive commitment, highlighting the importance of collective effort.Rodri's ability to control the tempo of the game was crucial against France's counter-attacking threat. He dropped into deep defense to neutralize Germany's man-marking tactics and provided a safety net for Spain's makeshift backline.Throughout the match, Rodri's positioning and anticipation allowed him to intercept passes and disrupt France's attacking flow. He effectively neutralized Aurelien Tchouameni and Randal Kolo Muani, providing security for his teammates.Rodri's performance epitomized the evolution of Spain's midfield, following in the footsteps of Sergio Busquets and Thiago Alcantara. His ability to control the game and provide a platform for his teammates has made him indispensable to Luis de la Fuente's side.As Spain prepares for the final, Rodri's leadership and tactical intelligence will be crucial in guiding the team to victory. His ability to remain calm under pressure and orchestrate the team's play will be key to overcoming the challenges that lie ahead.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, is determined to make history once again at the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament. The 39-year-old veteran believes his team deserves to add another major international trophy to their lone triumph at Euro 2016.Portugal will kick off their campaign against the Czech Republic in Leipzig on June 18, with Ronaldo expected to start and extend his record-breaking appearances at the Euros to six. Roberto Martinez's side qualified with a perfect record and should progress with ease from Group F, which also includes Turkey and Georgia."I believe this generation deserves to win a competition of this magnitude," Ronaldo declared upon arriving in Germany, setting his sights on the Henri Delaunay trophy. The former Real Madrid star triumphed with Portugal in 2016 but limped off injured against France in the final, with Eder firing the team to glory in extra time.Now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo netted twice against the Republic of Ireland in a tune-up friendly last week to extend his international goals record to 130. Thus far, 14 of those have come at European Championships, making him the competition's all-time top scorer ahead of France great Michel Platini on nine.Ronaldo first appeared at the tournament in 2004 on home soil, scoring against eventual winners Greece on his Euros debut, and he has also struck in every edition since. The forward has 25 appearances at the finals, missing only one game at the tournament on the five occasions he has been selected as part of Portugal's squad.If Ronaldo nets in Germany, he will become the oldest ever Euros goalscorer, with the current record set by Austria's Ivica Vastic in 2008, scoring at 38 years and 257 days old. "I enjoy football, records are a consequence, so for me it's not a target, because I think they come naturally," said Ronaldo. "I'm happy to have a sixth European Championship and it's about enjoying it in the best way, playing well, making sure the team can win, trying to give my all and enjoying it."Despite his long and storied international career, Ronaldo said he still suffers with nerves after a men's record 207 caps for his country. "There's always that tingling in the stomach, especially the day before the game, but that's normal, that's part of it and I'm glad I feel it, because when I don't feel it, it's better to give up and stop," said the forward. "I still feel quite motivated, it's a different competition and we're all prepared."Ronaldo's ambition is fuel for his team-mates to thrive on. "Knowing Cristiano, he'll always think big, and we'll keep up with him," Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot told a news conference Saturday. "He's the one who's won the most among us... if we all realise that we have to go step by step, we can go far and I'm confident of that."While Portugal are among the favorites to lift the trophy, the Czech Republic have not gone beyond the quarter-finals for 20 years. Like their opponents, the Czechs have lifted the trophy on one occasion -- in 1976 as Czechoslovakia. A three-man defense with two wing-backs led by Slavia Prague's Tomas Holes must find a way to stop Ronaldo if they are to start strongly. However, few sides have managed that since Portugal's talisman took the stage two decades ago.One of the few challenges left for Ronaldo at the tournament is to score a hat-trick, last achieved by Spain's David Villa in 2008.

Toni Kroos, the Real Madrid midfielder, has announced his return to the German national team after a three-year absence. The 34-year-old, who last played for Germany at the 2018 World Cup, made the announcement on Instagram, stating that he was motivated by a request from coach Julian Nagelsmann and his belief in the team's potential at the upcoming European Championship.Kroos's decision to return to the national team is a significant boost for Germany, who are looking to bounce back from their disappointing performance at the 2018 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the group stage. The midfielder's experience and quality will be invaluable to Nagelsmann's side, who will be aiming to make a deep run in the tournament, which will be held in Germany from June 14 to July 14.Kroos has been one of the most consistent and successful midfielders in world football over the past decade. He has won numerous trophies with Real Madrid, including four Champions League titles and two La Liga titles. He has also been a key player for Germany, helping them win the 2014 World Cup and the 2017 Confederations Cup.The midfielder's return to the national team has been welcomed by Nagelsmann, who said that Kroos is "a world-class player who will bring a lot of quality and experience to the team." Kroos is expected to make his return to the Germany squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and the Netherlands in March.

Liverpool's injury woes have taken a significant turn for the worse, with manager Jurgen Klopp confirming that forward Diogo Jota will be sidelined for months due to a knee injury. The Portuguese international sustained the injury during the first half of Liverpool's 4-1 victory over Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.Klopp delivered the disheartening news ahead of Liverpool's home match against Luton on Wednesday, stating, "We have Diogo with a knee issue ruled out — it will obviously take months." This development casts a shadow over Jota's participation in the upcoming European Championship in Germany, scheduled to begin in June.The injury crisis at Liverpool has reached alarming proportions, with nine senior players currently unavailable for selection. This situation couldn't have come at a worse time, as the club faces a crucial period in the season, including the English League Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday.Klopp refrained from providing a specific return date for injured duo Curtis Jones and Alisson Becker, while describing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai as "longer-term" concerns. Additionally, striker Darwin Nunez was substituted at halftime against Brentford as a precautionary measure.The mounting injuries have left Klopp with a depleted squad, making it challenging to navigate the demanding schedule ahead. Liverpool's title hopes in the Premier League have already suffered a setback, and they will need to find a way to cope with the absence of key players if they want to salvage their season.