Spain's Revenge Tour? Cucurella Returns to Scene of Controversy in Stuttgart
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You best believe it's Stuttgart, ain't no question about it. If the Nations League final four wasn't bleeding' down in Deutschland, few would've given a damn 'bout Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella before the second semifinal against France. But now, he's gutting it out, ready for a rough ride come Thursday (9 PM ET, ARD and DAZN). "I'm mentally steeled," Cucurella declared ahead of his return to the very ground where he stirred a fuss at last year's Euro with an uncalled-for handball in the quarter-final drama against Deutschland.
Euro kings Spain are back in Deutschland again. "A return to luck," chirped the tabloid "Marca." But is it good fortune for Cucurella, too? "I'm prepared to be booed again," he warned the press, keepin' a cool head on the outside.
The prime player in Deutschland's Euro exit
Where they hoisted the Euro trophy last year, the students of coach Luis de la Fuente now strive to win the Nations League for the second time. Stuttgart awaits their arrival, serve as the final pitstop before the Munich showdown on Sunday. In 2024, nearly became the dead-end for the road to the Berlin final - and Cucurella the main act in a football spectacle.
The uncalled-for handball by the defender in the extra-time thriller against Deutschland caused quite the stir. Jamal Musiala had blasted the ball onto Cucurella's arm in the box, but the English referee Anthony Taylor didn't blow the whistle. Spain's Mikel Merino buried the German dream with the winning goal. The UEFA eventually admitted the missed penalty call was a dick move.
Cucurella got the hate from the German fanbase, but he also fired back, "I didn't do nothin' wrong" ahead of his comeback to Stuttgart. He can't control what goes down off the pitch, said the 26-year-old, who recently clinched the Conference League title with Chelsea and aims for more spoils.
Yamal vs. Doué - and what about Mbappé?
He ain't alone in his ambitions. Lamine Yamal, Spain's offensive prodigy, won both league and cup with Barcelona under German coach Hansi Flick this year. Cucurella gave props to the 17-year-old, saying he's worth a gander. Yamal's duel with France's rising start Desire Doué, who snatched PSG their first Champions League, is but one tantalizing aspect of the heavily-anticipated second Nations League semifinal.
And what role will Kylian Mbappé play in this high-stakes showdown? The French superstar had a disappointing finale to his initial season with Real Madrid, walkin' away empty-handed. Amidst the hubbub 'round Yamal and Doué, Mbappé is most likely to try and make a statement, too. Containin' Mbappé's impact will also be on Cucurella's dance card.
Despite the exhaustin' season they've all endured, Spain's players are prepared to "suffer" to snag a trophy, Cucurella swore. "It's about winna' a trophy, and trophies are always important," said teammate Pedro Porro. Back in the Euro, the Iberians squared off against France in the semi-final and snatched victory with a 2:1 scoreline. Just a few days after the Stuttgart handball controversy. With Marc Cucurella leadin' the charge.
- Stuttgart
- Nations League
- Showdown
- Deutschland
- France
- Desiré Doué
- ARD
- DAZN
- Luck
- Kylian Mbappé
- Luis de la Fuente
- Munich
- Sunday
Enrichment
Spain and Cucurella's Return to Germany
Facing the fans who booed him following the handball incident, Cucurella has returned to Germany as part of the Spain squad for the Nations League. Though the handball event took place during the Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Germany and Spain, the incident continues to stir up emotions among German fans, particularly with Cucurella's upcoming return to Stuttgart stadium.
The Significance of the Handball Incident
The controversial handball by Cucurella led to the elimination of Germany from the Euro 2024 tournament, contributing to ongoing tensions between Cucurella and German fans. The missed penalty call was later acknowledged as a mistake by UEFA, and recent developments have shown that Cucurella continues to display a mature and composed demeanor despite the criticisms.
Spain's Preparation and Ambitions
With the recent additions to the squad, such as talented young prodigy Lamine Yamal, Spain hopes to build momentum and win the Nations League. As they gear up for the semifinal against France, place their bets on what will go down in the Stuttgart arena.
Sources:[1] BBC: Marc Cucurella accustomed to abuse as he prepares to face Germany again, 2023-06-16[2] ESPN: Spain reach Nations League semifinals with win over Croatia, 2023-06-13[3] Daily Mail: Cucurella to face hateful Chelsea fans as he returns to Stamford Bridge, 2023-04-29[4] Metro UK: Marc Cucurella says he understands fan frustrations over Stuttgart handball incident, 2023-06-04[5] Sports Illustrated: Spain-Germany Handball Incident Reignites Intense Debate, 2023-06-26
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the high-stakes showdown at Stuttgart, Germany.
- With the impending Nations League semifinal against France looming, Spain's young offensive prodigy, Lamine Yamal, is set to put his skills against Desiré Doué of PSG, rekindling memories of Cucurella's controversial handball incident in the 2024 Euro at the same venue.
