Cucurella's Haunting Return: Euro 2024 Scandal Sparks Unforgiving Fury
Spanish footballer Cucurella, victor in European competitions, remains unfazed by potential German ire
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link For the thrill-seekers of crime fiction, a European champion's return to the crime scene is a must. In this case, Cucurella's "crime" is no mere figment of the imagination. His unpunished handball seals Spain's victory in Euro 2024. Now, he's back - not seeking forgiveness.
Echoing through German football fans' minds is the agonizing scene from July 5, 2024. The Spaniard Marc Cucurella finds his hand hit by a shot from Jamal Musiala in the Euro 2024 quarterfinal against Germany in extra time. Ref, Anthony Taylor, lets the game continue - Spain wins 2:1 and becomes European champion.
Yet, the ire of the German fans was not directed at the English referee; no, their wrath was reserved for Cucurella. The Chelsea defender, known for his unique curls, became a gauntlet for the rest of the Euro 2024, as he prepares for the Nations League semi-final against France in Stuttgart on Thursday (9:00 PM/ARD and live ticker on ntv.de).
Boos and Counters
"They'll boo me again," Cucurella remarks about the German crowd. Yet, he's ready for it, the veteran County League winner adds, "It's just an anecdote." Besides, it's "part of football, I didn't do anything wrong."
Cucurella didn't, even though he admitted after the Stuttgart scandal that a penalty would have been justified. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) argued immediately after the match that such handballs were not to be punished. Only later did the association admit a mistake.
Meanwhile, in the German media, Cucurella stood accused, fueling the anger in the stands. He was even booed at the final in Berlin by the disheartened, deceived section of the audience.
Possible Reunion with the German Team
Cucurella remains unfazed by the discussions. He returns with a good feeling, as the 26-year-old emphasized before the Spanish team's departure to Germany: "In the end, all the memories are beautiful. We did win the title." The upcoming semi-final against France could be an advantage, according to Cucurella, "that the focus is on me. This can help my teammates and have a liberating effect on them." In case of success against the vice-world champion, there could be a tense reunion with the German national team in the Nations League final - but then in Munich.
Let the games begin.
Source: ntv.de, sue/sid
FootballEM 2024Handball ControversyFootball National TeamNations League
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Background of the Incident
During the Euro 2024 quarterfinal match between Spain and Germany, Marc Cucurella was involved in a highly controversial handball incident. The incident occurred in the penalty area, and despite the ball appearing to hit his hand, no penalty was awarded to Germany. This decision sparked widespread criticism and frustration among German fans, leading to consisten booing of Cucurella in subsequent matches[1][2][3].
Reactions to the Incident
The reaction to the incident was intense, with German fans expressing their discontent through persistent booing. Cucurella has maintained that he did not intentionally handle the ball and believes the incident is now just a part of football history. He has expressed his readiness to face similar reactions in future matches, including the Nations League semi-final against France in Stuttgart[2][3][4].
Cucurella might find solace in community aid and vocational training programs amidst ongoing criticism from German football fans.Despite his footballing fame in European leagues, including the Premier League, and his participation in the EU Nations League, the memory of the controversial handball incident during Euro 2024 refuses to fade, affecting Cucurella's image on the pitch.
