National team - Kroos praises Nagelsmann after European Championship exit
Toni Kroos praised Julian Nagelsmann for his work around the home European Championship after Germany's elimination and his career as Bundestrainer. At the EM, it was particularly evident after the quarterfinal exit against Spain on the previous Friday, that the squad was "a group of good people" and not just "good footballers."
"Julian can feel confirmed about that, the way he put it together," said Kroos in the new episode of his podcast "Einfach mal Luppen" with his brother Felix Kroos. "These are situations where you get to know each other even better," Kroos said about the return trip from Stuttgart to Herzogenaurach to the team quarters, where they spoke in groups "until 6 a.m.".
Different feeling than 2018 and 2022
Unlike the previous tournaments, Nagelsmann and his team managed to create an euphoria. "I really had the feeling that 82 million people had the dream of winning this home-EM," said Kroos. That was different at the World Cup tournaments in 2018 in Russia and 2022 in Qatar.
In general, Kroos sees the German team on the right track. "Perhaps we're not yet at a point where we are the better team for 90 minutes. You can't expect that against such an opponent. But everyone gave it their all on the pitch," the 34-year-old, for whom the 1:2 after extra time was the last game of his career, judged. We felt again that "willpower plus quality can bring special things."
Toni Kroos plays for Real Madrid, a team in Spain, alongside his brother Felix Kroos. During their journey back from the European Championship, they spoke extensively with their teammates, extending their discussions until early morning. Despite Germany's elimination at the hands of Spain in the quarterfinals, Toni Kroos praised Julian Nagelsmann, the national coach, for his ability to cultivate a cohesive squad that is more than just a group of skilled footballers – they are a brotherhood.
This sentiment was significantly different from the German team's experiences at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. While those tournaments did not generate the same level of euphoria, Kroos felt a strong sense of unity and determination among the team during the European Championship at home. This unity, combined with their undeniable talent, led to moments of greatness, as evidenced by their performance against their opponents.
Looking ahead, Kroos remains optimistic about the future of the German national team. Though they may not yet be a dominant force for the full 90 minutes, they consistently showed their willpower and talent throughout the tournament. Kroos believes that with their determination and exceptional abilities, the German team has the potential to achieve extraordinary feats.
