European Football Championship - After thunder and lightning: DFB team storms into the quarter-finals
The German EM-Party went on after an extraordinary football evening and goals from penalty taker Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala. In a 2:0 (0:0) against stubborn Danes, the national team had to first endure nervous video minutes due to a lightning, thunderstorm and heavy rain before storming into the quarterfinals.
Havertz remained calm in his 50th international appearance in the 53rd minute and overcame the previously unbeatable goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. The video assistant had detected a handball by Joachim Andersen, who had scored for Denmark just before that. A scary moment, the goal was disallowed due to an offside position on video evidence. Musiala released Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann and the crowd with his third tournament goal in the 68th minute. "Oh how beautiful", sang the fans. Germany dreams of a fourth EM title.
The coming Friday (18.00 hours) could come the great European championship test in Stuttgart against Spain. The strongest team of the tournament must first master the Achtelfinale against the clear outsider Georgia on Sunday evening.
Nagelsmann's answer to the striker question
Havertz or Niclas Füllkrug? The striker question had mainly moved the fans in the past few days - Nagelsmann seemed not so much. The national coach surprised with three changes in the starting line-up, but BVB professional Füllkrug sat on the bench in his home stadium at first. Leroy Sané was supposed to keep the Danes' tempo in check on the right, David Raum on the left. Nico Schlotterbeck replaced the suspended Jonathan Tah.
Two of the three newcomers could have been involved in a German leadership at the beginning. Raum delivered a corner, which Schlotterbeck headed into the goal (4.), but referee Michael Oliver blew the whistle for a foul by Joshua Kimmich, who had blocked Schlotterbeck's way in the penalty area.
No way past Schmeichel
There was indeed not 1:0, but the direction of the game was clear: Germany was the significantly better team in the first 20 minutes. The Danes barely made it out of their own half and could thank their goalkeeper Schmeichel that the first German goals did not fall early. The 37-year-old thwarted chances from Kimmich, Schlotterbeck (both 7.), and Havertz, who received a strong pass from the just fit again defender Antonio Rüdiger (10.).
The DFB selection, energetically encouraged by Nagelsmann from the sidelines, played offensively very variably, but also made frequent passing errors. Denmark's star player Christian Eriksen came into the game better. A tactical instruction from Danish national coach Kasper Hjulmand, who had to do without the suspended Morten Hjulmand, was clear to see: Musiala was attacked very early by the Danes, the 21-year-old got hardly any space.
Lightning, Thunder and Rain.
In the German weak phase, it thundered and lightning came from the sky, Oliver interrupted the game in the 35th minute, both teams went to the cabin in heavy rain. The mood of the spectators remained tense, Danish fans danced in the rain pouring down from the stadium roof, many people tried to protect themselves from the rain with their flags. In the VIP box, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz was looking on.
After Oliver's restart at 21:59 pm, the DFB team seemed to be getting a better grip on the game. Schmeichel prevented German dominance through Havertz, who headed towards the Danish goal from a cross a bit too centrally (37.). Rasmus Højlund almost took advantage of the DFB team's negligence twice. The Manchester United striker flicked the ball away from Nico Schlotterbeck, who was dribbling in the penalty area, but shot just wide of the goal (42.). Just before half-time, Højlund failed against the quickly reacting Manuel Neuer (45).
No Danish goal, penalty for Germany
In the major German scare in the 48th minute, the Bayern goalkeeper had to concede what was believed to be a goal due to great confusion in the German defense. The offside position against Andersen's goal was extremely close.
A few minutes later, Højlund became the tragic figure: A cross brushed past his hand, according to video images with impact graphics, and Oliver called for a penalty. Havertz converted confidently, as in the opening game against Scotland, Nagelsmann shouted his joy from the sidelines.
After 63 minutes, the German coach brought in Emre Can and Füllkrug, one for defense, the other for support. After the next good opportunity for Højlund, where Neuer was in position (66), Schlotterbeck played a strong long ball into Musiala's run, who gave Schmeichel no chance. Germany went into the closing phase with a calming lead, where the Danes were no longer a threat.
Germany celebrated their victory in the European Football Championship, securing a 2:0 win over Denmark with goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala. In a tense match, Joachim Andersen's goal was disallowed due to a handball and an offside position, as detected by the video assistant. The German national team, managed by Julian Nagelsmann, showed resilience despite the storm and heavy rain that interrupted the game.
David Raum and Nico Schlotterbeck were among the newcomers in Nagelsmann's starting line-up, with Schlotterbeck nearly scoring from a Raum corner. Kasper Schmeichel, Denmark's goalkeeper, kept the Danes in the game, thwarting chances from Kimmich, Schlotterbeck, and Havertz.
Nagelsmann's tactical changes and energetic encouragement from the sidelines helped Germany maintain their offensive pressure. The DFB selection played variably, with Leroy Sané and David Raum contributing on the wings. The Danish national team, coached by Kasper Hjulmand, focused their efforts on stopping Musiala, who had been a threat throughout the game.
After the storm interrupted the game, Michael Oliver resumed the match, and Germany seemed to regain control. Schmeichel kept Denmark in the game, preventing a German goal from Havertz who headed towards the Danish goal. Denmark almost capitalized on Germany's mistakes, with Rasmus Højlund coming close twice.
The second half began with a German scare, as the Bayern goalkeeper had to concede what was believed to be a goal due to great confusion in the German defense, but the offside position against Andersen was extremely close. A few minutes later, Højlund conceded a penalty after his hand was deemed to have impacted the ball in the penalty area, and Havertz converted the opportunity with confidence.
With Germany leading by one goal, Nagelsmann brought on Emre Can and Niclas Füllkrug for additional defense and support. After a good opportunity for Højlund, Schlotterbeck played a strong long ball into Musiala's run, and the attacking midfielder secured a second goal for Germany, putting the game beyond Denmark's reach.
Germany's victory set them up for a quarterfinals match against Spain, while Denmark was set to face Georgia in the Achtelfinale. The crowd in North Rhine-Westphalia celebrated their team's success, and advocates of Niclas Füllkrug applauded Nagelsmann's decision to keep the BVB professional on the bench. The storm passed, and the German national team dreamed of a fourth EM title.
