If someone else was in the world, you might wonder if she really meant it. However, if someone else was in the world, Spain would probably not have been in that position to score. As it is, the world champions in their very first ladies European Championship final, thanks to the genius of Aitana Bonmati.
It was not just about the ingenuity, but also about intelligence. Aitaina later said that Spain had studied Ann-Katrin Berger’s movements and how the goalkeeper of her near post stepped. The playmaker put it exactly where she needed a 1-0 win over Resolute Germany, exactly when it was needed from the end of extra time.
So, England stands for a repeat of the 2023 final, from a time when no other player hope to repeat. Or maybe even for. Even before Aitana drilled the ball in Berger’s Nearby Paal, there was the mercury quality of the turn.
You could actually say that Germany had the necessary warning, even if it is almost impossible to predict what a player will do as well as this. Aitana had predicted it with the assist for the crucial goal against Switzerland in the quarterfinals. She had the ball rolled through her legs to use it for Athenea del Castillo. Aitana turned around and continued and helped himself.
England will have to pay attention to that, except that you never know when it will come. That is the joy of a player like this.
Take a look at Berger and the symbolism of beating the best keeper of the tournament so far. The German had stopped everything until that time, a series of shots on goal. She couldn’t even see it coming for this competition winner.
Berger even pointed to her right, just before Aitana shot left of her.
Perhaps the biggest giveaway for Aitana’s own words was that she never even looked for a runner. She knew what to do. She also did it when it mattered the most.
How Spain needed it.
Berger’s impressive performance had played a growing Spanish frustration, where visible fear undermined their play. They did not press with the same intensity or somewhere near so high on the field. They didn’t even pass the ball with the same power.
The Germans strengthened the Germans in this way in defense. All Carlota Wamser, Janina Minge and Rebecca Knaak have been found so well, among other things.
It seemed and felt like a slow descent to penalties, who literally played in Berger’s hands.
Only the potential psychological fear of this deepened, there was the fact that Spain had never defeated Germany. Ever.
You could feel that a factor was as the game progressed, not to mention the relatively poor knockout record of Spain. It remains remarkable to say about world champions, but this was only their sixth victory outside a group stage.
They started to make a number of strange decisions in those stretched last phases of the 90, and then extra time. Who extended to the replacements, and in particular the removal of Claudia Pina, or the choice of Salma Paralluelo about Vicky Lopez.
In addition, in some respects, such debatable defects only further emphasize Spain. Even if they don’t have the right mix, or the formation does not work completely, they just have so many different players that can hurt you.
And in the middle of it is always Aitana, able to produce something like that.
It will be a huge challenge for England, but Sarina Wiegman may indicate some elements of encouraging the game.
Germany gave the best blueprint to date (a common theme) for the opposite Spain. They stopped them like no one else. They almost won it at the end of the 90, so Cata Coll was forced into a double rescue that was perhaps the same as everything that Berger offered.
It seemed that Klara Buhl’s bent shot would fall into the net like a falling magazine, only for the goalkeeper to claw away before he showed incredible reflexes and strength to get up immediately and to block the efforts of Carlotta Wamser.
That was a moment as important as the goal of Aitana, even if it will of course be overtaken in the collective memories of this semi -final.
There was a lot to take, which is a different element. Spain had to go the distance, and until the end of the extra time, and that with one day less to prepare you than England.
Apart from all that, and a performance that was understandably their least conviction of the tournament so far, they still created a series of opportunities. They still showed a determination to match with that of England. They still showed their genius, as well as the special quality of their star player.
Regardless of someone’s opinion about whether the goal was intended, there is no dispute about its meaning.
The world champions are located in their very first European champion finale, for a great confrontation with England.
Such a moment only makes it more a match to enjoy.
#Spain #illustrates #unique #genius #set #Euro #Final #Showdown #England