BERLIN: What a difference a game makes.
The pessimism and frustration shrouding Germany’s soccer team ahead this summer’s European Championship has been lifted and replaced by confidence that the host can now win the tournament.
All it took was a win over France for the Germans to cast aside their doubts.
“Everything fits together,” former Germany great Lothar Matthäus said after the France game, which was followed up by a 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Tuesday. “The team not only can be European champion, they must be European champion!”
It’s a remarkable turnaround for a team that had lost their previous games against Austria and Turkiye in November, and which had only two wins from their previous 10 matches before beating France 2-0 in Lyon on Saturday.
“Something has come out of the last week that wasn’t there before,” said Toni Kroos, who came out of international retirement to rejoin the team for Euro 2024. “There’s a confidence in our actions and I hope we take that with us toward the tournament because then we can be confident of always doing well.”
Germany needed to dig deep to beat the Dutch in Frankfurt after Joey Veerman’s fourth-minute goal for the visitors, but goals from Maximilian Mittelstädt and Niclas Füllkrug consolidated the team’s new-found bullishness and rewarded coach Julian Nagelsmann for some brave calls in squad selection.
Nagelsmann had called up six new faces and coaxed the 34-year-old Kroos back from retirement.
The Real Madrid star’s return had arguably had the greatest impact because of his leadership qualities and a calm composure that helped settle the players around him. Kroos began by setting up for Germany’s fastest ever goal after just seven seconds in the win in France, then delivered both corners that led to the goals against the Netherlands.
“I know that the team is coming from a really tough time,” Kroos said. “What’s good is that few took that baggage with them, that it was left behind through the relatively radical changes and you could see that.”
Kroos’ return allowed İlkay Gündoğan to push further forward, Wirtz and fellow youngster Jamal Musiala starred on the wings, and in-form Arsenal forward Kai Havertz started up front. Bayer Leverkusen’s tough-tackling Robert Andrich made his second and third Germany appearances beside Kroos in midfield.
Nagelsmann named the same starting lineup for the Netherlands as he had for France, and – barring injuries – it will not change much from the team that will start Euro 2024 against Scotland in Munich on June 14.
“The spirit of the team is very good. They’re a good mix,” Nagelsmann said. “I think we’ve found a good mix of players who can take on the role of not playing and still give their all when they come in.”
Of the new faces, three were from Stuttgart, which are playing some of the best soccer in the Bundesliga this season. Mittelstädt, the Stuttgart left back, made his Germany debut against France and starred in both games. A year ago, he was fighting relegation with Hertha Berlin.
“Everyone said, he hasn’t played any international game, maybe it’s too early,” Nagelsmann said of Mittelstädt. “He’s a very good player, a lot of ambition, a lot of power and also a top guy. He’s good for us.”
Nagelsmann made a point of selecting in-form players for their confidence, while omitting the likes of Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka and a host of Borussia Dortmund players.
Nagelsmann paid tribute to Leipzig defenders David Raum and Benjamin Henrichs for their impact as substitutes, as well as Pascal Gross in midfield, while Füllkrug, another substitute, was the one who scored the winner against the Netherlands.
All of the players, whether starters and substitutes, displayed a bite and commitment that had been lacking in previous Germany performances. Antonio Rüdiger and Jonathan Tah formed a formidable partnership in central defense, while Wirtz and Musiala in particular provided moments of inspiration.
“I think football is always about confirming things. A one-hit wonder is always possible,” Nagelsmann said before Tuesday’s match. “In the end it’s about confirming the path that we’re on. And I also said before I don’t want to be infected by this hysteria. But I’m also not one to put the brakes on euphoria.”
Nagelsmann was only given a contract through Euro 2024 after he was appointed successor to the fired Hansi Flick in September, but he’s likely to have it extended before the tournament starts.
Germany next faces Ukraine and Greece for their final tournament warmups before its opening game against Scotland in Munich on June 14. Nagelsmann’s team then play Hungary in Stuttgart on June 19 and Switzerland in Frankfurt on June 23.
Germany celebrate turnaround as confidence grows before hosting Euro 2024
https://arab.news/5gecp
Germany celebrate turnaround as confidence grows before hosting Euro 2024
- “Everything fits together,” former Germany great Lothar Matthäus said after the France game
- “Something has come out of the last week that wasn’t there before,” said Toni Kroos, who came out of international retirement to rejoin the team for Euro 2024
Dembele, PSG, Bonmati and Yamal score big at 16th Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai
- Cristiano Ronaldo, named Best Middle East Player, announced the launch of the first Globe Sports Award, presenting it to tennis star Novak Djokovic
- PSG, after the most successful season in their history, were named Best Men’s Club and Ousmane Dembele Best Men’s Player
DUBAI: Ousmane Dembele and Aitana Bonmati were the major winners at the 16th Beyond Developments Globe Soccer Awards on Sunday night in Dubai.
During a ceremony at the Atlantis The Royal hotel, Paris Saint-Germain forward Dembele was crowned Best Men’s Player for the first time, and FC Barcelona midfielder Bonmati made history by being named Best Women’s Player for a third consecutive year.
Among more than 20 awards presented, French giants PSG, capping off an extraordinary year in which they won the UEFA Champions League and Super Cup, Ligue 1, and Coupe de France, were named Best Men’s Club.
Individual awards went to Luis Enrique (Best Coach), Vitinha (Best Midfielder), Desire Doue (Emerging Player), Luis Campos (Best Sporting Director), and Nasser Al-Khelaifi (Best President).
Dembele said on stage: “The first half of the season was a bit more difficult, but there was a lot of work being poured into what happened in the second half.
“You have to work hard always and continue at it. And then when the moments that were hard to beat arrived, I just kept at it and now find myself where I am now.”
As well as celebrating Bonmati’s honor, it was a big night for FC Barcelona as they won the Best Women’s Club trophy.
Barca’s 18-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, the Spain international, also secured a double with the Best Forward and Maradona awards.
“I don’t want to be compared to anybody, because people, like the legends like Cristiano, actually have made their own path, and that’s what I want to do.”
A highlight of the evening saw Cristiano Ronaldo announce, in partnership with Globe Soccer, the first Globe Sports Award. Ronaldo presented the award to tennis icon Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Al-Nassr and Portugal star Ronaldo, named the Best Middle East Player, said: “We have a similar story, so I think it’s deserved because you are a great example for this generation, the older generation, and the generation to come, so you deserve it.
“Football is our life, it’s my life. But for me, sport means more than only football. For me, this is a new era, so we have to open our minds for the other sports.
“This is why we create this amazing award, in my opinion, and because the world needs to see different things with huge quality.”
Djokovic said: “To be here tonight is a privilege and honor, obviously, receiving an award from another sporting legend is a dream come true. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting this. I’m a big fan of football.
“I came here to obviously celebrate the incredible year that all of the football stars were having, and I was caught off guard, but in a positive way, so I couldn’t be happier.”
Career awards were presented to Spaniard Andres Iniesta, who scored the winning goal for his country in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final against the Netherlands, and former Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata, a two-time AFC Player of the Year and Serie A winner with AS Roma.
In a tribute, a special award was presented to the parents of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool and Portugal forward who tragically died in a car accident alongside his younger brother Andre Silva in July.
During the invite-only event in Dubai, awards were presented to Jorge Mendes (Best Agent), Portugal (Best National Team), Paul Pogba (Comeback Award), Los Angeles Football Club (Best Club Branding).
In addition, awards went to Nicoletta Romanazzi (Best Mental Coach), Right to Dream (Best Academy), and Bilal Haddad (Koora Break Best Content Creator).
Nine core categories were decided by more than 30 million fan votes during two global voting windows: Best Men’s Player, Best Women’s Player, Best Men’s Club, Best Women’s Club, Best Coach, Best Midfielder, Best Forward, Emerging Player, and Best Middle East Player.
The final winners were then determined by a combination of fan votes and the Globe Soccer Jury, made up of Marcello Lippi, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, and Luis Figo.
Tommaso Bendoni, founder and CEO of Globe Soccer, said the awards “delivered an unforgettable celebration of football, bringing together the world’s greatest players, coaches, executives and legends in Dubai.
“The incredible engagement from fans, alongside the expertise of our distinguished jury, once again demonstrated the unique spirit of the Globe Soccer Awards.”
It was also a special night for Spain’s La Liga EA Sports as the country’s top-flight presented the winners of its 2024-2025 season awards. FC Barcelona trio Raphinha, Hansi Flick, and Yamal were named Best Player, Best Coach, and Best Emerging Player respectively.
The Best Goal award went to Real Sociedad midfielder Luka Sucic, while the Best Save award was presented to Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
