Host nation Germany is riding a wave of renewed optimism as the Euro 2024 tournament opener against Scotland approaches. After disappointing exits in the last two World Cups and a loss to England in the Euro 2021 round of 16, Germany faced a tough 2023, securing only three wins in 11 matches.
Predictions of an embarrassing early exit for the three-time Euros champions on home soil have shifted dramatically in the past four months. Although Germany drew 0-0 with Ukraine in Nuremberg on Monday, the team’s dominant second-half performance and missed opportunities suggest improvement.
“You’d prefer to win,” said coach Julian Nagelsmann after the match. “But the most important factor is that I want to see a team which wants to win. Today, we wanted that victory.”
Germany was without four key players, including Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos, who played in the Champions League final last Saturday. Debutant striker Maximilian Beier nearly scored, while youngsters Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala showed promising chemistry in attack. Other selections, such as Stuttgart’s Chris Fuehrich and Maximilian Mittelstaedt, also impressed, indicating that Nagelsmann has assembled the right squad.
This resurgence in form and the resulting optimism are likely to energize Nagelsmann’s side as they aim for a record fourth Euros trophy, surpassing Spain. Germany will face Greece in their final friendly on Friday in Moenchengladbach before confronting tougher challenges in the tournament.
‘Perfect’ Preparation
Julian Nagelsmann took over as coach in late 2023 after Hansi Flick was dismissed, becoming the first coach in Germany’s history to be sacked. Nagelsmann initially struggled, winning just one of his first four matches. He responded by overhauling the squad, leaving out 11 players and recalling 2014 World Cup winner Toni Kroos, who had retired from international duty in 2021.
Instead of relying on stars from Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Nagelsmann’s squad features many players from Bayer Leverkusen, on their way to a Bundesliga title, and Stuttgart, who finished as surprise runners-up. This form-based selection strategy paid off as Germany convincingly beat Euro 2024 contenders France and the Netherlands in March.
Germany will face Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland in the group stages, three teams they are now expected to beat. Nagelsmann described the Ukraine match as “perfect in view of the games which await us in the group phase.”
Veteran Thomas Mueller, heading into his fourth Euros, reassured fans, saying there was “no reason to be nervous” despite the goalless draw.
‘Great Support’
After challenging years, the German public has rallied behind the national team as the tournament approaches. The German FA (DFB) embraced a novel approach for squad announcements, using TV personalities, influencers, and celebrities to reveal the team player-by-player, reaching a new audience.
Star midfielder Florian Wirtz was announced at a concert by musician Nina Chuba, while Real Madrid defender Antonio Ruediger’s selection was revealed via a video from his favorite kebab shop in Berlin.
In late May, over 15,000 fans packed a stadium in Jena to watch the team train, with another 16,000 tuning in to a live stream. Nagelsmann expressed his gratitude, telling AFP subsidiary SID, “We felt the enthusiasm of the public for their team. We’ll take this great support with us until the tournament.”
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