EM-Aus: Germany is no longer world class – and has been for years

opinion

Germany had taken part in a European Championship twelve times before this tournament, nine times the players were at least in the semi-finals, six times in the final. Not quite as blatant, but similarly strong at the world championships: 13 times semi-finals – or better – with 19 participations. In short: Germany is used to success at big tournaments, the DFB-Elf is the so often described “tournament team”.

But the last two tournaments are clearly out of the way. After the embarrassing preliminary round at the 2018 World Cup, Joachim Löw’s team was eliminated early again with the knockout round defeat against England. If Germany started the tournament three years ago in Russia as the defending champion with great expectations, the disappointment was correspondingly great, this time it can be said: The end of the German team is not really surprising.

Löw-Elf only won one game

Germany could not completely convince in any game at this tournament. The opponent had taken the lead in each of the four games. Only then managed to win against Portugal. Even the football dwarf Hungary brought Germany to the brink of embarrassment. And against a not particularly good England it was over. There was no lack of commitment or attitude at Wembley, the German team gave everything they had. It’s just not as much as it used to be.

Coach Joachim Löw had to admit in advance that the upheaval he had started had failed to some extent. The national team had delivered too many weak games with the sad climax of a 0: 6 against Spain. Before the tournament, Löw brought back two of the players who he had actually let jump over the blade after the World Cup disgrace – in his place, angry tongues claim.

Germany lacks class

After the big generation of players around Schweinsteiger, Lahm and Klose, there was simply not enough class. The Klostermanns, Kochs and Halstenbergs exude far less world-class flair. And so Löw relied on the world championship axis of Neuer, Hummels, Kroos and Müller at the EM. Seven years later, however, they are also every seven years older – and therefore not necessarily better. Sané and Gnabry are not yet consistently delivering on the same level, Havertz repeatedly indicated what he can do, while Gündogan only shows that at Manchester City. And Werner – well – the former Leipzig man did not invent scoring goals.

Germany lacks offensive power and defensive stability. The team simply lacks class at the front and back, that has to be said so clearly.

And so the second tournament in a row ended early. As three years ago, the trainer is responsible for this, but he is voluntary anyway, at least this time.

The situation is particularly dramatic because the next big tournament is coming up next year. Desert World Cup in Qatar, then with Hansi Flick as head coach. He doesn’t have too much time to form a powerful new force. Suboptimal conditions for his new job. It may be the third disappointing tournament in a row.