Euro 2024: Spain vs. Germany quarterfinal preview and pick

Euro 2024 has been defined by close matches, late goals and young players emerging on one of the biggest stages in world soccer. The tournament is down from 24 teams to eight quarterfinalists that will play Friday and Saturday across Germany.

Here are my preview and pick for Friday’s quarterfinal between Spain and Germany in Stuttgart.

The pick — Spain-Germany draw in regular time (+220, Caesars)

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England and France entered the competition as favorites, but Spain and Germany have been the best and most entertaining sides of Euro 2024. It’s really a shame one of them will be eliminated before the semifinals, but at least we get to see them face off in what is being billed as the match of the tournament.

Spain is the only team in the Euros to win all four of their matches and are led by a pair of young, electric wingers in 21-year-old Nico Williams and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal. The duo have caused a lot of trouble to opposing wing backs and have created plenty of chances for La Roja.

Germany also has relied on a rising star in 21-year-old Jamal Musiala, who is one of four players in the tournament with three goals to lead the Golden Boot race. Die Mannschaft’s mix of young and veteran players has worked, and they have a very good manager in Julian Nagelsmann.

There isn’t much that separates these two teams. Spain might be a tad better, but Germany will have some kind of home-field advantage at Stuttgart Arena. I do have some concerns about both defenses and was looking at betting some kind of pro-goals angle. But in matches between two big soccer powers, I worry about a slow start because the teams have so much respect for each other.

Since I can’t decide which side is going to win within 90 minutes, the draw is the most appealing option at +220. If this happens, the match will go to extra time for 30 minutes and then penalty kicks if it's still even after that.