Spain became deserved champions on Sunday as the best team throughout Euro 2024 which set several new records and also provided a rare shared passion on the continent in difficult times.
The 2-1 victory over England in the Berlin final was the culmination of the month-long tournament in Germany which overall ran smoothly amid a big security operation.
Mostly peaceful fans There were pre-tournament fears owing to geopolitical tensions and a variety of domestic problems in Germany but those ended once the fans arrived.
England fans were among those who followed their teams to Germany with tens of thousands, just like the Scots who had to return after the group stage and the Dutch who lasted until the semi-finals.
Turkey’s large community in Germany turned the team’s matches into home games until a narrow quarter-final exit, and overall only a few incidents were reported.
Tournament director Philipp Lahm praised pre-match fan marches as “the latest phenomenon” on X, and told the Bild paper that the Euros were “a full success” despite infrastructure shortcomings in Germany, most notably concerning rail operators Deutsche Bahn.
“Football works, football is fun and brings people together,” Lahm said.
The ruling body UEFA was also “very, very satisfied” overall, according to their competitions director Markus Kallen. “We had so many fans here in Germany from all over Europe who came here peacefully and celebrated and cheered on their team.”
Fans rally behind home team It helped the atmosphere that the German home team started with a 5-1 triumph over Scotland and made it into the quarter-finals, a major turnaround from disappointing results at the previous three big events.
But even an 89th-minute equalizer from young star Florian Wirtz did not save them in extra time against Spain who won from Mikel Merino’s 119th-minute winner.
Penalty controversies Germany pleaded in vain for a penalty when Spain’s Marc Cucurella handled the ball, after getting a controversial one against Denmark as the handball rule continued to baffle many fans.
Dutch players meanwhile lamented the penalty they conceded against England.
But there was also wide-ranging praise for the new rule that only captains can talk to referees.
Euro records galore Euro 2024 also saw plenty of records at the four-week event where Spain became the first team to win all seven matches at one Euros and scored a record 15 goals e route to a unprecedented fourth title.
Their winger Lamine Yamal first became the youngest ever player at the Euros at 16 years 338 days and then also the youngest scorer at 16 years 362 days. He was duly named best young player of the tournament.
Albania’s Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in tournament history after 23 seconds, and Hungary’s Kevin Csoboth the latest ever in regulation after 99 minutes 32 seconds.
Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo was the first player to feature at six Euros but also failed to score at every edition, crying tears of agony after missing an extra-time penalty against Slovenia.
There was still Ronaldomania which led to several pitch invaders seeking a selfie with him, incidents Kallen named “very annoying.”
Team-mate Pepe is now the oldest player at 41 years 130 days, and Croatia’s Luka Modric the oldest scorer at 38 years 289 days as 39-year-old Ronaldo did not find the net.
Flops Croatia went out in the group stage, title holders Italy in the last 16, and 2016 winners Portugal in the quarter-finals.
There was also heartbreak for Ukraine who went out in Group E where all four teams ended tied on four points.
Pre-tournament favourites France led by Kylian Mbappe needed 489 minutes to score a goal of their own from open play and still made it into the semis.
The Dutch were unconvincing in the group stage, just as England who needed a stunning stoppage-time equalizer from Jude Bellingham to get past Slovakia in the last 16, and penalties against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
And tops Spain really lit up the Euros but debutants Georgia were also positive surprises and made the last 16 after losing their first match 3-1 against Turkey in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament which included a wondergoal from Turkey’s Arda Güler.
Austria also impressed to top their group ahead of France and the Dutch before bowing out against Turkey after the save of the tournament from Turkey keeper Mert Günok.
Politics not far away Turkey’s quarter-final against the Dutch came against the backdrop of a two-match ban for Turkey defender Merih Demiral who had made the controversial gesture after scoring against Austria.
Albania player Mirlind Daku received the same sanction for chanting nationalistic slogans with fans after a match. (DPA)
