Host nation Germany face Spain at the Stuttgart Arena on Friday in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 riding a wave of belief that has been missing for almost a decade.
The eagerly anticipated clash (8pm UAE) pits together arguably the tournament's two most impressive sides, with the Germans shrugging off their recent disappointments to reach the last eight of a major event for the first time since they lost in the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
They had been world champions in Brazil two years earlier. Julian Nagelsmann's side made a flying start to their home tournament with crushing victories over Scotland and Hungary, but were less convincing in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland to close out the group stage, and then had to ride their luck in a 2-0 victory over the unfortunate Denmark in the last 16.
Spain, meanwhile, arrived in Germany as a team considered to have a chance of going all the way, but their vibrant displays have seen them emerge as many people's favourites for the title.