German hosts keep it low-key as a continent comes to party (2024)

There was a time when the act of betting against Germany in a major tournament was deemed to be only marginally less advisable than plunging one’s hand straight into a deep fat fryer.

When the football-mad nation saw off Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final, they joined Italy as the only European team to have claimed the trophy four times.

Yet, with three European Championships also to their name — a feat matched only by Spain — they have been, unarguably, this continent’s preeminent footballing nation across the last 94 years.

It’s safe to say that the sense of self-worth emanating from this vast success has not always to the liking of others. And yet, as Germany prepares to cut the ribbon on Euro 2024, there is little evidence of the arrogance and triumphalism that once walked hand-in-hand with their players and supporters alike.

Unlike the World Cup in 2006 or the last time the Euros were here in 1988, expectations about what Die Mannschaft might achieve across the coming month have been tempered.

This is in no small part down to the recent failings of the team, which saw it exit the group stages of the past two World Cups and suffer elimination at the round of 16 in Euro 2020.

Appointed last year after Hansi Flick’s sacking, Julian Nagelsmann has galvanised a squad which looked to be lost. Victories over the Netherlands and France in March were a welcome shot in the arm.

But there remains something of a disconnect between the supporters and the side.

Expectation has been displaced by hope. In the winding alleys around Munich’s Marienplatz yesterday, you could be mistaken for believing that the German public remains to be convinced that they will lift the trophy in Berlin on July 14.

The souvenir stalls remain dominated by Bayern Munich scarves and pennants. The colours of 1860 Munich, now languishing in the third tier, were just as visible as the black, red and gold of this nation.

You cannot miss the fact that a footballing festival is about to begin. There is Euro 2024 livery everywhere you look. But the only flags being draped over balconies were saltires and the only voices being heard above the chimes of the church bells were Scottish.

So far, at least, the German public has kept its affection for — and its belief in — Nagelsmann’s side well hidden.

‘In the past, we expected nothing other than victory,’ said Hans Neumann, who owns a coffee shop in the market district. ‘But the last few tournaments have been huge disappointments. We hope, of course, but we now assume nothing.

‘There is a different approach now. We want to be good hosts and to enjoy the tournament. I don’t think too many supporters anticipate us winning the trophy.’

From a distance, this standpoint is curious. Germany may be behind England and France in betting odds, but the historical importance of home advantage in this competition cannot be understated.

Portugal, France and England made it to the final on home soil this century with Spain (1964), Italy (1968) and France (1984) all previously victorious in front of their own fans. The domestic game was given a much-needed shot in the arm last season as Bayer Leverkusen completed the jaw-dropping feat of landing the double unbeaten while reaching the Europa League final.

Florian Wirtz, Robert Andrich and Jonathan Tah were central to that astonishing campaign and are key components of Nagelsmann’s squad.

VfB Stuttgart, who finished second in the Bundesliga, also have five representatives.

Although Borussia Dortmund lost their Champions League final to Real Madrid, it was a fine year for German clubs in Europe with only Serie A faring better. An additional place in the revamped Champions League next year has added to the feelgood factor.

Antonio Rudiger and Toni Kroos both arrived at the training camp near Nuremberg fresh from Madrid’s win at Wembley. The latter will retire after these finals but will do so having lost little of the brilliance that marked him out as one of the best midfielders of his generation.

Captain Ilkay Gundogan, Joshua Kimmich, Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Thomas Muller and Kai Havertz have also lifted Europe’s top club honour.

Havertz is 25 now, but the Arsenal man is still bracketed along with the attacking young guns who could illuminate the competition. Wirtz simply reached a ridiculous level in the colours of Leverkusen last season, cutting a swathe through opposing defences at will and adding every conceivable individual award to the medals he won as part of Xabi Alonso’s all-conquering side.

Jamal Musiala, of Bayern, also just 21, has long been established as one of the true stars of German football with his outrageous dribbling skills. He already has four Bundesliga titles in his locker.

If recent matches are any guide, Nagelsmann will unleash Wirtz and Musiala ahead of Gundogan so they can support Havertz. If it all clicks, it could make for a long night for Steve Clarke’s defenders.

The concern for Germany is keeping the back door shut. Neuer lost a soft goal to Greece last week with his suitability now something of a national debate. Lothar Matthaus believes he should be dropped but that simply won’t happen.

Over the past year, the side has kept just two clean sheets in 13 games — against France and Ukraine. That might explain the lack of faith that exists.

‘It’s a team with strengths but some weaknesses,’ explains Marie Fischer, an economics student who still hopes to snare a ticket for the opening game.

‘We can score goals, but the problem is we lose too many. It can be an exciting team and we have a better chance than when Hansi (Flick) was in charge. But perhaps there are other nations that are more complete.’

With a winnable group, Germany still expects to be in with a shout of the latter stages. But the mood this time is certainly more one of cautious optimism.