In their eight encounters with Spain and Germany across all competitions, La Roja has yet to secure a victory against a nation that has historically excelled in the sport. The German team boasts a record of five wins and three draws against the Spaniards, who currently hold the title of world champions.
The latest of these matches occurred during the 2024 Olympic Games, following Spain's world title, when Germany thwarted Spain's bid for Olympic bronze with a 1-0 win in the third-place match.
"There's a first time for everything," states Alexia Putellas in an interview with Mundo Deportivo."Our goal is to reach the final, which means we must defeat Germany."
Despite their unfavorable record, Spain arrives at the Letzigrund Stadion as the favorites for this semi-final. This status is attributed to their flawless start in EURO 2025, having won all four matches, scoring 16 goals while conceding only three.
Spain's coach, Montse Tome, remains hopeful: "Since I took over, I've faced Germany five times, and we've yet to claim victory. I feel we're getting closer with each attempt."
One factor contributing to this is the highly positive atmosphere surrounding the Spanish national team,"where the environment is the most professional" that Jorge Vilda's former assistant at La Roja has ever encountered.
"The team is maturing, and there is progress in every aspect," she remarks. "I observe significant maturity within the team and a strong understanding among the players."
'Additional motivation'
This Spanish squad is already mirroring a historic EURO performance: for the first time since 1997, they have advanced to the semi-finals of the continental tournament. Back then, the competition featured only eight nations.
However, the leader of the world champions seeks more: "In recent years, we've claimed a World Cup, a Nations League title, and now all we need is the EURO, making it extremely important for us," Aitana Bonmati told Marca on Tuesday, emphasizing that Spain's ambition is to "continue conquering the world."
The challenge of facing Germany adds "extra motivation, says the two-time Ballon d'Or winner, who felt that the last defeat to Germany "left a sour taste".
“The pressure is on them since they have won eight European championships and we have yet to win any. But we are fully confident in our skills and dedication. Having come this far, we will strive to reach the final.”
An opportunity rather than revenge
Putellas, Spain's standout player at the tournament's outset, adds:"We believe that if we get closer to our optimal performance and reduce our errors, we can make it to the final."
To finally triumph over Germany, Spain will rely on a united locker room, a rarity in a national team that has faced turmoil in recent years, with players stepping back from La Roja to protest the conditions they faced and others remaining silent or seizing their absences to earn their first call-ups.
"We have always possessed remarkable talent; we've harnessed talent that could have been beneficial, but we've formed a team capable of taking on its responsibilities," says Tome, who has faced internal criticism for being one of the last remaining members of the previous RFEF management.
Spain appears closer than ever to finally overcoming Germany, "one of the top teams in the world, according to Putellas. However, there is no discussion of 'revenge' against a nation that La Roja has never defeated: "They are an opponent we have lost to, and tomorrow we have the chance to beat them for the first time!"
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