Let’s get used to it: When things get really exciting at the big tournaments, Germany is no longer there. There is little consolation that the anticipated final in Munich is rising. What else is up at the EM?
Finally really good football again in the Munich EM arena. Precisely because the Löw troop is no longer in the tournament and therefore not on the field. In the evening (9 p.m. / live on ZDF, on MagentaTV and in stern-Ticker) in the stadium, which is again not brightly lit, the “anticipated final” rises, and there “the team” – let’s be honest – has lost just as little in its current condition as it did in the actual final next Sunday.
Who is the favorite now? England not!
In contrast to the Belgians and the Italians, who are quite suitable for the final after their previous performances. The Azzurri in particular impress with a new passion: they score goals! And what makes the former grandmasters of the 1-0 victory so strong is that they still hold tight at the back – last for 30 games before a ball floundered in their own net against Austria again. Has been around for around two years Italy no more international game lost. Experience has shown that the value of such series is only proven in the decisive phases of a major tournament, i.e. now!
Belgium has been number one in the Fifa world rankings for a long time and, with its current generation, is actually on the verge of a title. It would be our neighbors’ wish, because they have actually never been allowed to tear up an EM or World Cup pot. They were closest to the 1980 European Championship, but Horst Hrubesch was ahead of them in the final. Stupid that their superstars Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard are not up to date now of all times. Can they play? Not clear. But even without them, the Red Devils have a team that can beat Italy.
And who else is eligible for the title? England definitely not. They believe that because they once beat Germany, they are on the way to the title. Especially this time, that’s a fallacy. They were just the better of two rather staid teams. Against it is Spain got better and better. The team now runs like a well-oiled engine. Who needs Real Madrid stars when they can have 26 players of the same type and class who can make anyone play dizzy? At least not Coach Luis Enrique. He considers his squad to be the strongest in the tournament so far. But only if they do not again succumb to the usury of opportunities.
Who can we hold onto now?
In the early evening (6 p.m. / live on ZDF, on Magenta TV and in stern-Ticker) the Furia Roja must first against “world champion killer” Switzerland ran. World champion killer Switzerland sounds strange, but that’s how it is. The Swiss selection is the squad that is closest to us now – because of the language and because of the many players who play or have played in the Bundesliga. You could identify with it if necessary. Especially as a Gladbach fan. It feels like half of Vladimir Petkovic’s squad consists of current and former players from Borussia Mönchengladbach. An extended foal eleven as European champion? Sounds weird and it won’t turn out that way. Then sooner Denmark. The Danes could already make it to the finals if the spirit of being able to play for their collapsed team-mate Christian Eriksen continues. Then England should also be able to reach the semi-finals.
Will “Hansi’s gamblers” be coming soon?
The DFB stars meanwhile lick their wounds and hope for better times. With “Jogis Jungs” it is done. Perhaps “Hansi’s gamblers” will come now and counter the Tiki-Taka with the flick-flack. It would be nice. Toni Kroos no longer wants to take part; maybe better that way. He would like to have more time with the family, he says. The 2022 World Cup in the run-up to Christmas really doesn’t fit into that. The ex-colleagues from now on still need time to get together. “The disappointment runs deep and it is really difficult for me to process the whole thing,” said Joshua Kimmich on Instagram, describing his disappointment. The Bayern star apparently believed in all seriousness that the German team could become European champions. Maybe next time. But only if you really play good football again. There’s tonight. In the Munich arena. Without Germany. For the time being.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
