Dani Olmo became increasingly important for Spain throughout the tournament.
Photo: imago/David Catry
Today is a special day,” sings Raphael. His song “My big night” has already rang through the stadium speakers six times immediately after the final whistle at this European Championship: After every Spanish victory, the fans celebrated to the sounds of the classic from 1967. This Sunday could be another very special day – and the biggest Spanish football night in twelve years become. The national team will be favorites in the final against England in the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
Everything necessary
The Spanish team was not one of the hottest title contenders before the tournament. After the last title win at the European Championships in 2012, the game was still mostly nice to watch, but determination and penetration were missing from then on. At the following three World Championships, the team was eliminated first in the preliminary round and then twice in the round of 16. The 2016 European Championships also ended there.
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Now, in his 15-month term in office, coach Luis de la Fuente has once again formed a team that has everything it needs. Spain has won all of its six games so far at this European Championship – with a goal difference of 13:3. In addition to a well-functioning four-man defense, defensive stability is ensured by the central midfield duo Rodri and Fabián Ruiz as a connection between all parts of the team. And the offensive lives from the two sensational young wing players Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.
Important wisdom
Spain’s top goalscorer is Dani Olmo. With three goals, he and England striker Harry Kane are at the top of these European Championship statistics. With the 26-year-old offensive player from RasenBallsport Leipzig, a strong Spanish team has become, within four weeks in Germany, what can be found in the big book of football wisdom under tournament team: Since Olmo was in the starting line-up, Spain has become even better.
It was only in the quarter-final game against Germany that substitute Olmo became a starting eleven. Substituted for the injured Pedri after eight minutes, he took the lead in the 51st minute, set up Mikel Merino’s winning goal with a precise cross in the last minute of extra time – and was named player of the game. The sad fact of Pedri’s failure became a stroke of luck for the Spanish team. In the semi-final against France he scored the 2-1 winning goal.
Last piece of the puzzle
Dani Olmo is perhaps the crucial piece of the puzzle for the big hit at this European Championship. “I still had the same ambition,” he said, looking back on his time as a benchwarmer in the first five games at the European Championships. Teammate Rodri describes his advantages: “With Dani we have more presence in the penalty area.” And he also enriches the Spanish possession game with a positive pass rate of more than 83 percent.
Dani Olmo learned to wait a long time for the big breakthrough very early on. Born in Terrassa, Catalonia, he was trained as a footballer for seven years at FC Barcelona’s famous talent factory “La Masia”. But at the age of 16 he moved to Dinamo Zagreb. After six years in Croatia, he came to Leipzig in the Bundesliga in 2020. After the impressive performances at this European Championship, it seems that the RasenBall athletes from the trade fair city will have to do without their attacking midfielder in the coming season. Manchester City, Liverpool FC and his youth club FC Barcelona are said to be ready to take up the 60 million euro exit option in Olmo’s contract, which runs until 2027.
Great shape
“My people are currently taking care of Olmo’s sporting future,” he said. He’s only interested in the European Championships right now. Olmo has a lot planned for the big final on Sunday in the Berlin Olympic Stadium against England. “I’m feeling very good at this tournament, I’m in great shape, so I have to continue to take advantage of that,” he said on Friday. The fight for the top scorer’s crown may be an “additional motivation”, but ultimately “it doesn’t matter at all.” The most important thing is to win the game.«
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