How Africa had a big influence on Euro 2024

The immigration boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s transformed the European Championship into a more culturally diverse event than ever before.

And as the ongoing 2024 edition reaches the quarter-finals, a number of remaining teams can attribute part of their success to the performances of players of African origin.

Kevin Danso, more than anyone, is a perfect example of this.

The 25-year-old defender was a mainstay for his native Austria as they reached the last 16 but grew up in England from the age of six under the tutelage of Ghanaian parents, developing in the academies of Reading and MK Dons.

Despite being at the intersection of three different nations, Danso, who plays for Ligue 1 side Lens, has always remained connected to his roots.

In June 2022, he visited Ghana for the first time, a trip that left a deep impression on him.

“I was very fortunate to have Austria as my home and Ghana as my ancestral homeland,” Danso told BBC Sport Africa.

“The culture, the food, the people and everything Ghanaian makes me who I am. I always follow the national football team and my support is always there for Ghana.

Appropriating Ghanaian culture also means embracing its social peculiarities, including the persistent food rivalry with its West African neighbor Nigeria.

He has a willing training partner in fellow Austrian international David Alaba, who is of Nigerian origin.

“He (Alaba) knows that Ghana has the best jollof, but he will always disagree with me.”

Spain’s dynamic attacking duo

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams dance to celebrate Spain's goal at Euro 2024

Yamal and Nico Williams (right) caught Spain’s attention with their silky wing play – and dancing celebrations (Getty Images)

During their rise to the top of the international game in the late 2000s, Spain’s play was defined by slow, patient possession football.

But things have changed and La Roja now has, in Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, two direct and fast wingers of Ghanaian and Moroccan-Equatorial Guinean origin.

In the same way that international affiliation divided the Boateng brothers, Jerome and Kevin-Prince, between Germany and Ghana respectively in the 2010s, Nico and his older brother Inaki are now on different paths.

Both were born in Spain, children of Ghanaian migrants who crossed the Sahara in search of a better standard of living, but while they share a strong brotherly bond, the latter has pitched his tent with the four-time African champions rather than in his new home country.

And while Inaki found life with the Black Stars difficult after making that choice, Nico was one of Spain’s stars at his second major tournament.

His stunning goal in the 4-1 last-16 win over Georgia may have been his first goal of Euro 2024, but Nico had already demonstrated his threat earlier in the tournament, notably in the lopsided 1-0 win over defending champions Italy.

“We may have followed different international paths but I always look to him (Inaki) for advice,” Nico told BBC Sport Africa.

“Playing in the same tournament (the 2022 World Cup) was a dream come true and our parents are most proud of it because we represented two countries that define our family history.”

On the opposite flank, Yamal is a silky, creative type whose decision-making betrays his modest years.

Few 16-year-olds stand out as much in their first tournament as the FC Barcelona prodigy in Germany.

Unequivocal about their desire to represent their homeland, Morocco were nonetheless hoping to get the better of Spain to secure Yamal, as they had done in the past for other Spanish-born internationals such as Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz.

Their loss was Spain’s gain.

“Bambi” featured for L’Équipe

Jamal Musiala walks away with his arms outstretched after scoring for Germany

Musiala is the top scorer at Euro 2024, with three goals in four games (Getty Images)

Hosts Germany were, after Spain, perhaps the most impressive team at Euro 2024, securing a place in the quarter-finals with a hard-earned victory over Denmark.

With questions over the effectiveness of Kai Havertz in attack and Bundesliga winner Florian Wirtz ruled out of the last 16, Jamal Musiala is the only immovable piece in the Mannschaft’s attacking puzzle.

The 21-year-old was at the centre of an international tussle between Germany and England as a youngster but could also have played for Nigeria, for whom he is eligible thanks to his dual-national father.

In recent interviews, Musiala has lifted the lid on his exposure to Nigerian culture.

“My father used to make fufu when I was a child in England; he made it every other day,” he says.

It is therefore no surprise that, as he told UK3, his international allegiance was not a decision he took lightly.

“I could have played for Nigeria because it crossed my mind and I thought about it,” the Bayern Munich winger explained.

“I had good discussions with Nigeria and Germany. So it’s up to me to decide where I would feel most comfortable. I decided to go for Germany.”

Nicknamed ‘Bambi’ upon his debut, Musiala has not looked back since his international debut in 2021.

His long, slender dribbling gives him an elusive, mesmerising quality that has elevated Germany’s complex possession game and could be the difference if Julian Nagelsmann’s side are to go all the way and lift the trophy in Berlin on July 14.

Switzerland’s African contingent

Dan Ndoye celebrates a goal with a lion pose, gritting his teeth and spreading his hands to imitate paws

Dan Ndoye scores for Switzerland in their group stage draw against Germany (Getty Images)

Less than 12 months ago, Lausanne-born Dan Ndoye was talking about the possibility of playing for Senegal, then reigning African champions.

“For me, Senegal is the best team in Africa,” he told wiwsport. “They demonstrated it at the CAN and qualified for the World Cup.

“Of course I’m interested, but it’s not up to me to decide whether I’m going to play for Senegal or Switzerland.”

A year later, after an exceptional season in Serie A at Bologna, he is one of the revelations of Euro 2024 for a team proud of its cultural diversity.

Back-up goalkeeper Yan Mvogo, defender Manuel Akanji, midfielder Denis Zakarai and forwards Breel Embolo, Kwadwo Duah and Zeki Amdouni all have links to Africa.

Ahead of their last-16 clash with England on Saturday, the Swiss are now considered outsiders for the title.

Beating Italy in dominant fashion certainly played a part in that perception, but it was their Group A draw with Germany that really stood out.

The hosts, on the defensive after Ndoye’s first-half opener, needed a late header from Niclas Fullkrug to salvage a draw.

Within Switzerland’s fluid structure, Ndoye’s ability to play between the lines, spread wide and pose a threat in the opposition penalty area has been vital.

The Three Lions have been warned.

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