Brazilian Elections 2024 - Attractive in pink? The DFB squad takes part in a group match sporting the debated away uniform.
The German men's football team will be sporting a unique pink away kit during the group stage of the home Euro 2024 Championship, according to the German Football Association (DFB). This will be for their second game against Hungary, while their first match against Scotland on Friday will see them wearing the traditional white home kit.
The controversial kit generated a buzz when it was unveiled, with critics stating it's unmanly. In anticipation of the backlash, Adidas and the DFB had a marketing plan up their sleeves. They created a video where a voiceover asked, "Is that a woman's kit?", only for Germany's national player Jule Brand to retort in the pink away gear, "I don't know, it still doesn't look like eight EM titles to me." Germany's women's team currently holds three more European Championship trophies compared to the men's team.
Despite the initial outcry, the pink away kit has grown in popularity. It's now a common sight at international matches and training sessions. In fact, it was temporarily out of stock. According to Adidas, the shirt had the best sales introductory period compared to any German away kit they've released. The white home kit is also popular, but sales figures have not been disclosed. The away kit has had no effect on the team's performance. In fact, the DFB team, under coach Julian Nagelsmann, is undefeated in four international matches. They've won both games in the pink jersey — 2:1 against Greece and the Netherlands. The white home kit has produced two victories as well, but the game against France was 2:0, while it was a draw against Ukraine.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck voiced his approval for the team and the away kit. "They are a model for the Germany we love," he commented to Kicker. "They play for Germany, and that's the warm, friendly Germany in pink shirts. What more could we want? So it should be." Habeck also raised a concern about the racism found in a recent WDR survey. "How must someone feel who gives their all for their country and is still told they don't belong because of their skin color? That's called racism, and many experience it in their daily lives," he added. The survey revealed that one in five respondents would prefer to see more white players on the German national team. The findings sparked heated discussions.
