EURO 2024 Final: Spain’s Forward Lamine Yamal Wins Young Player of the Year
Spain’s forward Lamine Yamal won the Young Player of the Year after his side beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday. A Record-Breaking Performance A day after his 17th birthday, Spain’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, was thrust into the spotlight as he started in the Euro 2024 final against England. Not only did he shine in the match, but he also made history, becoming the youngest player to ever participate in a major international final—a record previously held by the legendary Pele since the 1958 World Cup final. A Tournament of Milestones Lamine Yamal has been breaking records throughout the European Championship. At the start of the tournament, he became the youngest player ever to start in a European Championship match during Spain’s opening game against Croatia. His talent continued to shine brightly as he scored in the semi-final against France, making him the youngest scorer in the competition’s history. An Interesting Twist Interestingly, Yamal’s participation in the final could have been cut short if the match had gone into extra time. German law restricts anyone under 18 from working past 11 pm, which means Spain would have faced a fine if Yamal continued playing beyond this time. Fortunately, Spain clinched the victory within regulation time, winning 2-1 with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal, so this wasn’t an issue. With this victory, Lamine Yamal now holds the title of the youngest player to ever win the European Championship. His contribution to Spain’s triumph under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente has been immense, and his future looks incredibly bright as he continues to make his mark on the football world. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
EURO 2024: Germany’s Labour Law Impacts Yamal’s Playing Time
Lamine Yamal has been the talk of Euro 2024, not only for his talent but also for rewriting history as the tournament’s youngest ever scorer. At just 16 years and 362 days old, Yamal left a lasting impression with a breathtaking goal against France in the semi-finals, showcasing his skill and potential with a composed finish that belied his age. Regulatory Challenges for Spain’s Coach However, despite his stellar performances, Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente has faced a challenge in fielding Yamal for full games due to strict labour laws in Germany, where the tournament is being hosted. These regulations state that individuals under the age of 18 cannot work past 8 PM local time without special exemptions. While athletes are allowed to compete until 11 PM, exceeding this limit incurs hefty fines on their team or organization—in this case, the Spanish Football Association (RFEF). Management of Yamal’s Playing Time De la Fuente has voiced uncertainty about how these rules apply to Yamal’s playing time, stressing the importance of complying with local laws while also nurturing the young star’s development. In the semi-final against France, Yamal was substituted in stoppage time to ensure adherence to these regulations, restricting his playing minutes despite his impactful performance earlier in the game. Coach’s Reflection on Yamal’s Potential Reflecting on Yamal’s rise to prominence, De la Fuente praised the teenager’s footballing genius and maturity beyond his years. He emphasized the need to guide Yamal with care, urging him to stay grounded and focused on continuous improvement. “Watching a talent like Lamine is a privilege,” De la Fuente remarked, highlighting Spain’s excitement about Yamal’s potential in the years ahead. Despite the challenges posed by regulatory limits, Yamal’s presence is set to be a significant asset for Spanish football, provided his growth is managed thoughtfully within both sporting and legal frameworks. With Spain gearing up for the Euro 2024 final against England, all eyes are on Yamal and the delicate balance between nurturing young talent and complying with international regulations in the world of sports. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
EURO 2024: And Then There Were Three
The UEFA EURO 2024 has reached its thrilling end game, narrowing the field from 24 teams to just three. England, the Netherlands and Spain have emerged as the top survivors. Here’s a detailed look at each team’s journey, key players, and what to watch for as they vie for the championship. Spain Pedigree: Spain has won the EURO three times (1964, 2008, 2012) and reached the semi-finals in 2020. Story so far: Spain has been in excellent form, winning all their matches and conceding only two goals. They defeated Germany in extra time in the quarter-finals. They took on France in the semi-finals and went past the line 2-1. Key player: Rodri, possibly the best midfielder in the world right now, is crucial to Spain’s success. One to watch: Lamine Yamal, at just 16 years old, has made history as the youngest player at a EURO and has impressed with his performances. Did you know?Spain is the only team to have won three consecutive major international titles: EURO 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and EURO 2012. Netherlands Pedigree: The Netherlands won the EURO back in 1988. They reached the round of 16 in 2020. Story so far: The Netherlands had a mixed group stage but advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. They comfortably defeated Romania in the round of 16 and fought back to beat Türkiye in the quarter-finals. They now face England in the semi-finals. Key player: Memphis Depay, despite injury setbacks, remains the leading force in the Dutch attack. One to watch: Xavi Simons has emerged as a creative powerhouse, contributing significantly in the knockout stages. Did you know?Wim Kieft’s goal in EURO ’88 was the Netherlands’ first headed goal in a major finals, with Marco van Basten contributing to most of their goals. England Pedigree: England’s best EURO performance was as runners-up in 2020, losing to Italy on penalties. Story so far: England topped Group C despite not being at their free-flowing best. Key players like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Phil Foden showed glimpses of brilliance. England overcame Slovakia in extra time in the round of 16 and won a penalty shootout against Switzerland in the quarter-finals. They now face the Netherlands in the semi-finals. Key player: Jude Bellingham has been an asset, scoring two goals, including a spectacular bicycle kick against Slovakia. One to watch: Cole Palmer showed his composure by scoring the first penalty in the shootout against Switzerland. Did you know?Under Southgate, England have topped their group in both EURO campaigns, matching their record from their previous eight tournaments combined. With Spain already booking their place in the finals of EURO 2024 by knocking France out by 2-1, it would be interesting to see who amongst Netherlands and England book their date with Spain in the finals of the EURO 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
EURO 2024: Semi Final 1, Spain vs France – All You Need To Know
Spain will face off against France in Munich for the first semi-final of Euro 2024 on Tuesday, July 09, 2024. The clash between two European powerhouses is expected to be electrifying. Spain, the tournament’s joint-leading goal-scorers, are up against Kylian Mbappe‘s France, who have struggled with scoring but have displayed strong defensive discipline. Despite their captain’s struggles due to a broken nose, France has yet to score a goal in open play, but their solid defense has propelled them to the semi-finals. Current Form Spain has been in exceptional form, with wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams excelling. La Roja has scored 11 goals in five matches, winning all of them. In contrast, France has managed just three goals in their five matches. Spain is on the brink of setting a Euro record for the most victories in a single campaign, while France has only managed draws against Poland, the Netherlands, and Austria. Kylian Mbappe’s scoring drought is a concern, and the Real Madrid star was substituted in the second half of extra time during their quarter-final win over Portugal. However, coach Didier Deschamps remains optimistic about Mbappe’s potential to perform when it matters most. “It’s not just linked to the last match, but everything he had to deal with before, with a back problem at the end of the league season, the trauma he had (to his nose). He could have been forced out of the tournament. He’s had to get over all of this, get used to the new conditions but I know he will do everything to be as effective as possible,” Deschamps stated. “It’s something new for him and the fact of wearing a mask leads to having modified vision. Breaking his nose was a big shock, he needed time to digest it, but with each passing day the bruising has gone down,” added Deschamps. Match Details The first semi-final of Euro 2024 between France and Spain will be played at the Munich Football Arena from 9 pm local time (12:30 am IST on Wednesday). Team News Spain: Luis de la Fuente’s team will be without key players Pedri, who is out due to a knee injury, and defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin le Normand. Veteran Jesus Navas is expected to mark Kylian Mbappe.France: France has no injury concerns. Marcus Thuram, who suffered a thigh injury in the quarter-final, has returned to training and is expected to play. Predicted Line-Ups Spain: Unai Simón; Navas, Nacho, Laporte, Cucurella; Olmo, Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Morata, Williams.France: Maignan; Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Kante, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Griezmann; Kolo Muani, Mbappe. Where to Watch The UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals will be broadcasted live on Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 3 HD, Sony Sports Ten 4, Sony Sports Ten 4 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5, and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD TV channels in India. The Sony LIV app will provide live streaming of the matches. Head-to-Head and Euro Record Spain and France have faced each other 36 times, with Spain winning 16 and France winning 13 of these encounters. Spain, in their sixth semi-final, has reached the final four times, while France has won three of their previous five semi-finals. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
