BERLIN: Germany striker Niclas Fuellkrug said Wednesday he hoped the retirement of several experienced players could be an advantage for the new-look side.
Germany face Hungary in Duesseldorf on Saturday, having said goodbye to 2014 World Cup winners Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos, while captain Ilkay Gundogan has also retired since the home Euros in the summer.
Joshua Kimmich was named Germany captain on Monday and Fuellkrug, who at 31 is now one of the more experienced members of the squad despite making his debut in 2022, said his side would be hungrier.
“We’ve lost players with an incredible amount of experience and success. As Jo (Kimmich) said yesterday, we’ve got no more world champions in the team.
“Of course it’s a disadvantage, but we want to turn it into an advantage. We want to be a troupe which may be inexperienced but we’re hungry, greedy for success.”
Fuellkrug said a team that had not won anything “wants success just a bit more than a group that has had it.”
Fuellkrug singled out Mueller’s absence, saying Germany was already missing one of the country’s best-known characters, both on and off the pitch.
“When he walks into the room he has a real presence. Since he left, of course, it’s been a bit quieter,” Fuellkrug said smiling. “But we still miss him.”
The center-forward has 13 goals from 21 games for Germany, coming off the bench in all but six of those matches.
Fuellkrug moved from Borussia Dortmund to Premier League side West Ham United in the summer, having spent his entire career in Germany.
He is yet to score or assist in four games in England, three of which he came from the bench.
“I still need a bit more time to settle in,” Fuellkrug said, adding that the Premier League was “more physical and dynamic, but less tactical” than the Bundesliga.
New-look Germany ‘greedy for success’, says striker Fuellkrug
https://arab.news/cf9j3
New-look Germany ‘greedy for success’, says striker Fuellkrug
- Fuellkrug said a team that had not won anything “wants success just a bit more than a group that has had it“
- The center-forward has 13 goals from 21 games for Germany, coming off the bench in all but six of those matches
Talwar leads on opening day of 2025 Saudi Open
- The 26-year-old from Delhi set a new course record of 8-under 64 at Dirab Golf & Country Club
RIYADH: India’s Saptak Talwar opened the first day of the 2025 Saudi Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour, with a new course record of 64 (8-under) after finishing his round with a birdie on the final hole in fading light at the Dirab Golf & Country Club.
The 26-year-old from Delhi, who has competed in only a handful of Asian Tour events since turning professional in 2021, delivered a flawless round that included four birdies on each nine, placing him at the top of the leaderboard.
In second place are American John Catlin, the defending champion and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and Australia’s Jack Thompson, both carding 65.
Meanwhile, rising Moroccan talent Adam Bresnu stole the spotlight as the leading Arab player on the opening day, after a strong performance that placed him firmly in contention.
Despite still being an amateur, Bresnu exemplified the Arab Golf Federation’s vision of creating clear pathways for regional talent to reach the highest levels of the professional game.
Through its partnership with the Arab Golf Federation, Golf Saudi is expanding high-level opportunities for amateur and professional Arab players.
Bresnu said: “The conditions were really good. What I liked most about the course was how firm the greens and fairways were. The greens are excellent, and I’m really happy to be here.”
“I’ll keep the same mindset. Patience is the main goal,” he added. “It’s a four-round tournament, day by day, shot by shot. My goal is simply to enjoy playing.”
Saudi Arabia players are still in contention as they progress into day two.
Shergo Al-Kurdi said: “Representing the Kingdom is amazing, the crowd support is definitely a big one. In general just being in Saudi, I always enjoy my time here and just want to perform the best I can. It’s a good place to have a nice week.”
He added: “The amount of support Saudi gives to their players is absolutely fantastic and it’s what golfers need to get into a higher level of golf. It is what is needed and they are prepared to do it. It’s very good what they’re doing.”
