Spain vs Germany
Spain and Germany are set to compete for the bronze medal in the Olympics 2024 women’s football tournament after they were beaten in the semi-finals. Their match is scheduled for Friday night at Lyon Stadium.
Spain’s remarkable run for gold was ended by Brazil on Tuesday (4-2) in what was one of the most stunning Olympics 2024 results since La Roja were initially favoured to win, according to the Olympics 2024 odds.
Germany, meanwhile, suffered a heartbreaking loss against the United States, as they were unable to stop Sophia Smith’s decisive strike in extra time that ultimately sealed their fate (1-0).
Believe it or not, Spain can win their first-ever Olympic women’s football medal this weekend, while another victory for Germany would give them their fourth bronze medal and fifth-ever medal in the quadrennial meet.
Both teams look evenly matched on paper, but who will come out on top in Lyon? As we look forward to another fun contest, take a look at our SBOTOP preview below.
Talking Points
Bonmati can add on to her impressive CV
Before the Paris Games, Aitana Bonmati had been on an incredible run for the past 12 months, winning almost every trophy available.
During the said period, the Barcelona midfielder has won the 2023 Ballon d’Or Feminin, FIFA Women’s Player of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, FIFA Women’s World Cup Golden Ball, UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season twice, UEFA Women’s Champions League Final MVP, IFFHS Women’s Player of the Year, IFFHS Women’s Playmaker of the Year, Globe Soccer: Women’s Player of the Year, and the UEFA Women’s Nations League: Player of the Finals.
And that’s just for her as an individual.
As far as her team achievements are concerned, Bonmati won two Primera Divisions, two Copa de la Reinas, two UEFA Women’s Champion Leagues, two Spanish Super Cups, a FIFA Women’s World Cup, and a UEFA Women’s Nations League.
Here in the Paris Olympics, Aitana Bonmati recorded a goal and an assist in her first-ever Olympic match, and she has been an integral part of Spain’s semi-final run.
Spain will need Bonmati to weave her magic anew against Germany by linking up with her talented teammates, Salma Paralluelo, Jenni Hermoso, Mariona Caldentey, Athenea del Castillo, Irene Paredes, and Alexia Putellas.
Aitana Bonmati is on her way to “completing football,” so to speak, and winning the Olympic bronze medal would cement her legacy.
Is Popp good to go for Germany?
Many would argue that if Germany had a complete squad, they would’ve had a significantly better chance of eliminating the United States in the semi-finals.
But unfortunately, that wasn’t the case on Tuesday, as DFB-Frauen were without their star forwards Alex Popp and Lea Schuller.
Alex Popp was sidelined due to an illness, while Lea Schuller, their top scorer in the Olympics with three goals, was also held out due to an inflammation in a tendon in her left knee.
With the two of them out, Germany had to replace them with the relatively inexperienced pair of Nicole Anyomi and Jule Brand, and Anyomi was eventually subbed off for Laura Freigang.
Schuller is not expected to play against Spain because she doesn’t have enough time to get back to 100-per cent fitness on Friday, while Popp is considered questionable to play.
History
The women’s national teams of Spain and Germany will meet for the seventh time ever this weekend. Germany have never lost to Spain in all of their previous meetings, with three wins and three draws.
These two countries last met in the group stage of the Women’s Euro 2022. Germany won 2-0 in their only group stage match, giving them the edge to claim the top spot in Group B, while Spain finished second.
Spain were eliminated early by England in the quarter-finals, while Germany went all the way to the final but eventually lost to England in extra time (2-1).
Germany have almost always qualified for the Olympics, except for 2012 and 2020. DFB-Frauen won their first-ever gold medal during the 2016 Rio Games.
Spain, on the other hand, have come a long way in the women’s football scene. Since their semi-finals run in the Women’s Euro 1997, La Roja never made it past the quarter-finals up until last year, when they won their first-ever Women’s World Cup trophy. La Roja are doing well in their first Olympics stint in Paris, and winning the bronze medal will signify their upward trajectory.
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