Spanish footballer Cucurella remains unfazed by potential German discontent following his European triumph
In the world of crime novels, the antagonist often returns to the scene of the crime. For Marc Cucurella, his "crime" is merely a fictitious one. The controversial handball incident he was involved in during the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Germany, however, is anything but make-believe. Now, he's back, and he's not asking for forgiveness.
Every German football fan remembers that heated confrontation on July 5, 2024. Cucurella, the Chelsea defender, was hit by a shot from Jamal Musiala in extra time. Referee Anthony Taylor allowed the play to continue, despite clear calls for a penalty from the stands. Spain eventually won 2:1 and became European champions.
But the wrath of the DFB fans didn't fall upon the English referee; it was Cucurella who became the target. The Spanish defender had to endure the ensuing criticism throughout the tournament. On Thursday, he's set to return to the "crime scene" in Stuttgart for the Nations League semi-final against France – and he's ready for another chilly reception.
Gamesman at Heart
"I think I'll be booed again," Cucurella conceded. But he's counting on his resilience, boasting, "It was just an anecdote." Besides, "it's all part of football, I didn't do anything wrong."
Cucurella might have admitted after the Scuttle row that a penalty could have been justified. But UEFA, the governing body of European football, argued immediately post-match that handballs like his should not be considered an offense. The association eventually conceded their mistake [1].
A Tense Possible Reunion
Cucurella seems unconcerned with the debates. He's looking forward to the contest with a sense of pride, having emphasized before the Furia Roja's departure to Germany: "In the end, all the memories are good. We did win the title." For the upcoming semi-final against France, he believes the focus on him might prove advantageous, stating, "This can help my teammates and have a liberating effect on them." If Spain wins against France's vice-champion team, a nerve-wracking reunion with the German national team could take place in the Nations League final – but then in Munich.
Source: ntv.de [2]
- Soccer
- European Championship
- Referee Controversy
- ** Nations League**
- In an effort to silence his critics and reaffirm Spain's dominance, Cucurella is looking towards community aid and vocational training programs to channel his energy positively, hoping to make a difference off the field while preparing for the Nations League semi-final against France.
- As the Nations League final approaches, Cucurella's potential reunion with the German national team in Munich could be a tense affair, but he remains focused on his performance on the pitch, drawing inspiration from his love for sports, particularly football, and his aspirations to excel in European-leagues, perhaps one day reaching the premier-league.
