The Euro 2016 Tournament has provided a great test for teams center stage to demonstrate their potential for the World Cup in 2018 and showcase fresh young talent to carry the future of their squad.
The World Cup Champion German team, which is ranked number 2 in the world behind Argentina, had a breakthrough Sunday against Slovakia winning 3-0 behind a rampant offense and superb goalkeeping by Manuel Neuer. Germany is getting consistent play from their veterans: Midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos, and Forwards Thomas Muller and Lukas Podolski. The team is also playing with great young talent in the young Julian Drexler who scored in the 63′ minute against Slovakia. His speed and tenacity is causing for defenders to lose him in their line of vision and he is getting open and creating separation for Germany.
Germany is set to play the winner of Italy and Spain after they face off on Monday. Portugal, France and Belgium have also advanced to the quarterfinal. Many expect these teams to be serious contenders in the next World Cup. German Coach Joachim Low praised his team’s composure was still not satisfied with the level of play. “With all due respect to Slovakia, this is no pointer that we are going to dominate this tournament, Low said. “We are still going to have to improve. In fact, we have to improve if we want to have a say in this tournament.”
Low also stressed the importance of play against their next opponent in the quarterfinals and beyond. “We can’t give our opponents any space in the next game and we have to take our chances as we won’t get as many. Both [Italy and Spain] are among the favourites; Italy are incredibly strong in defence and have a very good attack as we saw in the first two games. The Spanish have the best attacking game we’ve seen over recent years. The two sides differ but they are both real favourites.”
The Quarterfinal matches begin Thursday, June 30th as Poland comes in as underdogs to Christiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
