DFB squad makes turbulent run to the European Championship quarter-finals
The German football national team is in the quarter-finals of the UEFA European Championship. In a turbulent match against Denmark, with interruptions due to bad weather, the DFB team won 2:0 - and for the first time since the EM 2016, they won a knockout game.
The German EM party went on after an extraordinary football evening and applauded goals from penalty taker Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala. In the 2:0 (0:0) against stubborn Danes, the national team had to first overcome anxious video minutes due to lightning, thunder, and heavy rain before storming into the quarter-finals.
In his 50th international match, Havertz scored coolly in the 53rd minute, bypassing the previously unbeatable goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. The video assistant had identified a handball by Joachim Andersen, who had scored for Denmark just before that. A shock moment, as the video evidence led to the 0:1 being disallowed due to an offside position. Musiala released Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann and the crowd with his third tournament goal in the 68th minute. "Oh how beautiful that is," sang the fans. Germany dreams of a fourth EM title.
On the coming Friday (18 hours/MagentaTV and in the ntv.de-Live ticker), it could come to the great European championship test against Spain in Stuttgart. The strongest team of the tournament must first master the quarter-final against the clear outsider Georgia on Sunday evening.
Nagelsmann makes first line-up change
Havertz or Niclas Füllkrug? The striker question had mainly moved the fans in the past few days - Nagelsmann apparently 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. Leroy Sané was supposed to keep the Danes' tempo in check on the right, and David Raum on the left. Nico Schlotterbeck replaced the suspended Jonathan Tah.
Two of the three newcomers almost contributed to a German lead right from the start. 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.
The storm hits the DFB weakness phase
Although it wasn't 1:0, the direction of the game was clear: Germany was the significantly better team in the first 20 minutes. The Danes barely managed to get 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 defensive leader Antonio Rüdiger to finish off (10.).
The German team, energetically urged on by Nagelsmann from the sidelines, played offensively very variably, but also made frequent mistakes in build-up play. 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.
In the German weakness 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.
Danes with the ball in the opposition's penalty area, German player on the other side
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 a little too centrally after a cross from a teammate (37.). Twice Rasmus Højlund came close to punishing the carelessness of the DFB team. 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).
In the major German scare in the 48th minute, the Bayern goalkeeper had to concede a goal due to great confusion in the German defense. The offside position against Andersen's goal was incredibly close.
A few minutes later, Højlund became the tragic figure: A cross brushed against the hand of the 28-year-old, according to video images with impact graphics of the ball contact, Oliver called for a penalty. Havertz converted calmly, as in the opening game against Scotland, Nagelsmann shouted his joy from the sidelines.
After 63 minutes, the national coach brought in Emre Can and Füllkrug for Dortmund, 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 left Schmeichel no chance. Germany went into the closing phase with a calming leadership, in which the Danes were no longer dangerous.
The German national soccer team, led by coach Julian Nagelsmann, is preparing for their upcoming quarter-final match against Spain in the European Football Championship 2024. Nagelsmann has announced that he will make changes to the starting lineup, potentially bringing in Kai Havertz's rival for the striker position, Niclas Füllkrug.
Jamal Musiala, who has been impressive in the tournament so far, provided an assist for Niclas Füllkrug in the training session before the Spain match, showcasing the depth of talent in the German national team.
As Germany advances in the European Championship, the DFB team and their fans are looking forward to the possibility of another EM title, with the support of key players like Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.
