Germany’s storied journey in the European Championship reaches a pivotal chapter this Saturday in Dortmund. With Denmark as their next hurdle, “Die Mannschaft” (The National Team) aims to continue their remarkable record in the knockout stages.
A Legacy of Excellence:
Germany boasts a staggering record of reaching the semi-finals on nine out of ten occasions they’ve progressed past the group stage at the Euros. This translates to an even more impressive statistic: six appearances in the finals, tying them with Spain for the most in the tournament’s history. Their trophy cabinet holds three Euros titles, a testament to their dominance.
A Leader Who Knows the Way:
Berti Vogts stands as a unique figure in Euros history, having lifted the trophy as both a player (1972) and a coach (1996). His 1996 victory against the Czech Republic at Wembley marked Germany’s last championship triumph, nearly 28 years ago.
Stability Reigns Supreme:
Despite the lack of recent continental glory, Germany’s faith in their current coach, Julian Nagelsmann, remains unwavering. The German FA (DFB) has publicly stated that “elimination is not all that matters,” emphasizing performance as a key factor in Nagelsmann’s job security.
READ ALSO: https://thecrux.com.ng/fifa-launches-football-manager-world-cup-offering-100000-prize-money/
From Humble Beginnings to Perennial Contenders:
Germany’s Euros journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing. They opted out of the inaugural tournaments in 1960 and 1964 and even failed to qualify in 1968. However, this initial hiccup proved temporary. They transformed into consistent contenders, reaching three consecutive finals (winning in 1972 and 1980) before a heartbreaking loss to Czechoslovakia in 1976.
Emerging From a Recent Dip:
Germany’s recent Euros appearances haven’t mirrored their past dominance. Group-stage exits in 1984, 2000, and 2004, coupled with a round-of-16 defeat in 2020 and a group-stage departure at the 2022 World Cup, dampened expectations heading into this tournament.
Rekindled Hope:
However, a resounding 5-1 victory over Scotland and a dramatic late equalizer against Switzerland propelled them to the top of Group A. This momentum, along with striker Niclas Fuellkrug’s confident assertion – “If you want to become European champions you have to beat the really good ones,” – has ignited a spark of hope among German fans who dream of another deep run in the competition.
