Germany is still feeling the sting of the last-minute loss to Spain in the quarter-final of the European Championship . Understandably so, because when the final whistle blew in Stuttgart after the 2-1 defeat, the sun set on a summer that promised so much. On the pitch, Antonio Rudiger lay prone in the six-yard box.
Joshua Kimmich leaned listlessly against a goal post. Thomas Muller , his career flashing before his eyes, broke down in tears, as the fans who had stayed behind — all of them — applauded their national team from the field. Shirts were pulled over faces, hands were on heads.
It was a devastating way for the tournament to end. Advertisement Back in the German dressing room, there was barely a sound. Julian Nagelsmann spoke about what had been accomplished and what was still left to be achieved.
Nagelsmann had been overwhelmed by the supporter reaction at the Neckarstadion and had cried on air as he reflected on what he had seen around the country — the fan marches, the singing, and the signs that, after nearly a decade, the country was truly invested in its team once more. It was not an illusion. Domestic television audiences for Germany’s games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar fell below 11m.
During this tournament, they started high and kept growing: 22m against Scotland , 23.9m for Hungary , and 25.5m for Switzerland .
Nagelsmann and his players hoped to win Euro 2024, but the real mission was to re-establish some pride. That has happened. But they have ac.