Marc Cucurella is bombarded with hate comments online. The Spaniard is booed non-stop during the semi-final. The reason: a penalty that was not whistled for Germany in the quarter-final. An absurdity that was also criticized by the German media.
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- Marc Cucurella becomes the object of fury on the net after the quarter-final match against Germany. He is booed for 90 minutes during the semi-final against France.
- The German media took the hate comments and the people who whistled against Cucurella to task. "Unworthy of a good host", wrote "Kicker", for example.
- Spain coach Luis de la Fuente does not want to pigeonhole those people: "These people represent neither the sport nor Germany."
Germany's European Championship dream has been shattered. Some supporters of the German national team have obviously not yet come to terms with this fact. They are looking for scapegoats, for reasons for the quarter-final exit.
The victim is Marc Cucurella. The Spanish defender is becoming a projection screen for anger and aggression. In the 106th minute of the quarter-final match against the hosts, the ball smacked into his hand in the penalty area. The penalty whistle is not blown. The German newspaper "Bild" writes about "Zottel's hand", a Germany fan starts an online petition - the match between Germany and Spain should be replayed. Over 425,000 people have now signed the petition - but it is unlikely to be heard by UEFA.
The controversial penalty scene triggers a wave of anger that does not stop at the internet. "Germany banned forever", wrote one user under a post by the professional. The comment received over 800 likes. Injuries are also wished for the Spaniard. A torn cruciate ligament or "a lifetime of diarrhea".
Spain coach on whistles: "These people don't represent the sport or Germany"
During the semi-final match between Spain and France, the wave of anger about Cucurella continues to roar. The Chelsea player was booed mercilessly for 90 minutes. It is reasonable to assume that these are supporters of the German national team who have not yet accepted their quarter-final defeat. Although Germany supporters is probably the wrong choice of word.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente chose the following words after the incessant whistling: "Without being disrespectful, these people represent neither the sport nor Germany. Germany as a host country is exceptional."
German media take the whistlers to task
The whistling concert is not going down well with the German media either. "Unworthy of a good host", writes thefootballmagazine "Kicker". It is part of sport to acknowledge defeats. "Anyone who constantly whistles at a player who leaves his heart on the pitch for 90 minutes has not understood fair play."
"SPOX" describes the whistles as "completely inappropriate". "Nobody needs fans like that. (...) Cucurella was not the perpetrator last Friday, but a victim of the circumstances." The whistles against Cucurella were extremely unsportsmanlike.
"t-online" blows the same horn. "Where have we ended up here?" was the headline of the online medium on Wednesday morning. It also criticized the comments on social media. The point now is to "finally" accept defeat. "Because that's also part of this sport: accepting the pain of losing, coming to terms with it and, in the best-case scenario, emerging stronger as an even closer-knit society."
The next dream awakens
The dream of winning the title at the home European Championships is over. Nevertheless, dreams are always possible. They can be transferred. To other tournaments, for example. In two years' time, Germany will have their next chance to win the title at the World Cup. A new dream awakens.
