Emotional words after European Championship quarter-final exit

Ilkay Gündogan and more - Emotional words after European Championship quarter-final exit

## German National Players Express Emotional Words after 1:2 Defeat against Spain in Home-EM Semifinal

German national players have expressed emotional words on their Instagram accounts following the 1:2 defeat against Spain in the Home-EM semifinal. Captain Ilkay Gündogan (33), who wrote just after the dramatic game in Stuttgart, stated: "It is so incredibly bitter."

"We gave it all"

Gündogan, who has been the captain of the German National Team since 2023, wrote further on his Instagram: "We gave it all and we were sooooo close. And you have supported us so wonderfully - today was the best atmosphere, I have ever experienced at a DFB national team game, it was truly a unique atmosphere - wow! It was a huge honor for me to lead this team at the Home-EM as captain."

He was "really optimistic" that the team "could go very far in the tournament." The FC Barcelona player emphasized: "Even though our elimination comes too early today, I think we showed that we can take on any opponent - yes, even be the better team!" The defeat was "so disappointing... it will take some time to process that." In the end, he thanked everyone, "who made this tournament so special for us." The support was felt "throughout the team."

Florian Wirtz is "very disappointed"

Young talent Florian Wirtz (21) also spoke out on Instagram. He scored a goal in the 89th minute and secured Germany an extension. He wrote in English: "Very disappointed to be out of the tournament. We deserved more. Still proud of the team and of this amazing journey! Thank you for the support."

Thomas Müller thanks all, "who cheered us on"

National team veteran Thomas Müller (34) balanced: "I am proud to be part of this team and above all proud to be German. Thank you to all who cheered us on and were wonderful hosts." The FC Bayern star appealed: "Let us take this feeling with us into our daily lives right now."

1. After the disappointing 1:2 loss against Spain in the Home-EM semifinal, many international match players from the German National Team took to Instagram to express their feelings.
2. Florian Wirtz, the young talent from Stuttgart, joined the chorus of disappointed voices, writing in English that he was "very disappointed to be out of the tournament," despite scoring a late goal that extended Germany's time in the competition.
3. Ilkay Gündogan, the captain of the German National Team since 2023, expressed his emotions in a lengthy Instagram post, stating that it was "so incredibly bitter" to lose in such a close game, but also emphasizing that the team gave it their all and showed they could take on any opponent.
4. FC Bayern's Thomas Müller, a veteran of the German National Team, thanked everyone who cheered them on and urged fans to take the spirit of the tournament and apply it to their daily lives.
5. And Ilkay Gündogan, along with other German players like him, thanked the fans for their support, acknowledging that the atmosphere in Stuttgart was "the best atmosphere, I have ever experienced at a DFB national team game," and that their support had been felt throughout the team.

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