Host nation Germany will face Spain in a highly anticipated Euro 2024 quarter-final clash in Stuttgart on Friday, riding a wave of belief and confidence not seen in the proud football nation for nearly a decade. Germany, historically the most decorated nation in European football, is once again optimistic about making a deep run in the tournament.

Veteran midfielder and 2014 World Cup winner Toni Kroos, who came out of international retirement for this tournament, expressed the team's ambitious goal: "The goal is to win the tournament. We want to go a lot further, and in the dressing room, we are very convinced we will achieve that."

This renewed optimism marks a significant turnaround from nine months ago when former coach Hansi Flick was dismissed after a 4-1 defeat to Japan in Wolfsburg. Julian Nagelsmann, Flick's successor, initially struggled, winning only one of his first four games in charge. However, Nagelsmann's strategic squad changes in March laid the foundation for Germany's successful Euro run. He brought in players from Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and surprise runners-up Stuttgart while axing several big names. Crucially, he persuaded Kroos to return to the national team for his final tournament before retirement, and the midfielder has excelled.

The quarter-final matchup between Germany and Spain, two of the tournament's most impressive teams and the only sides to have won three Euros titles, could easily be a marquee final. With other pre-tournament favorites like France, England, and Portugal facing challenges, the winner of this clash will be heavily favored to reach the final in Berlin.

Spain, the only team to win all four of their matches at Euro 2024, have scored nine goals while conceding just once. Germany, with three wins and a draw, have faced challenges along the way but have demonstrated resilience and determination.

Kroos believes that Germany's tenacity comes from experience. He explained that the team's belief in themselves has grown through overcoming difficult situations in matches against Hungary, Switzerland, and Denmark. "We now have a different belief. We are now winning games or at least not losing games that we were clearly losing in the past."

Facing Spain, a country where Kroos has played for the past decade with Real Madrid, he downplayed any perceived advantage from his familiarity with the Spanish players. "They're all pretty well known. I don't think we're expecting any big surprises."

Kroos's decision to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid in 2014 was partly motivated by feeling underappreciated in Germany, particularly in light of criticism from Bayern powerbroker Uli Hoeness, who once labeled him "sideways pass Toni" and claimed he had no place in modern football. Reflecting on whether the Spanish recognized his value more quickly than the Germans, Kroos said, "I'll say it like this, some of them understand quickly, and some others need a bit more time. But eventually, they all understand."

The clash between Germany and Spain promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams looking to secure a place in the semi-finals and continue their quest for European glory.