DUSSELDORF, Germany — For 'Bild,' Germany's best-selling tabloid newspaper, the wordplay was too good to pass up. 'Jamal v. Yamal,' its front page screamed earlier this week, posing the question as to which of Euro 2024's uber-talents will prevail on Friday. Unstoppable-looking Spain against rampant host nation Germany is such a historically juicy quarterfinal that no accompanying subplot is necessary, but there is one nonetheless.
It won't be the last time you hear this before kickoff, or perhaps even before the end of this article. Part of the reason for that is the way both sides play with effervescence. They used speed and dynamism, but they are also not afraid to be whimsically creative, almost playful, with their attacking intent. Mere coincidence that their most innovative players are so young? Surely not.