"I'm not a party pooper"

The host nation's perfect premiere sparks hope for a really cool German football summer. And national team captain Julian Nagelsmann has no objection to enjoying the moment. There is no reason to put the foot on the brake, he says.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 15 2024

"I'm not a party pooper"
Photo: Frank Augstein/AP/TT

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The host nation's perfect premiere raises hopes for a really cool German football summer.

And national team coach Julian Nagelsmann has no objection to enjoying the moment.

There's no reason to put the brakes on, he says.

The 5-1 display against Scotland - in front of 22.49 million German TV viewers - on Friday evening's European Championship opener in Munich was more than what disillusioned German national team fans dared to hope for.

Nagelsmann enjoyed himself on the sidelines and noted five different goal-scorers when "Die Mannschaft" gave an immediate demonstration of the team's strength. But, of course, nothing has been won yet, and advancing from the group stage is far from certain.

Few would criticise the 36-year-old - Nagelsmann is the European Championship's youngest national team coach - if he called for restraint.

Now, he doesn't seem to be of that ilk.

I'm quite far from being a spoilsport, he says according to the AFP news agency.

Extended contract

Nagelsmann recently extended his contract until the World Championship in the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. Judging by the demolition of Scotland, he has now got a national team in order, which last year only won three out of eleven international matches.

With a mix of experienced players like Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan and young future players like 21-year-olds Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, Nagelsmann has found the right balance.

Musiala, the quick-footed technician, received the prize as the match's player. The performance was greater than that. When asked if it was also his best match so far, Musiala replied:

Yes, I think we can say that.

Another veteran, Thomas Müller, stated:

A perfect evening. We want to continue like this. This was a match on the way, but we want to achieve much more.

"Now we're a team"

Niclas Füllkrug established himself in the national team just a few months before he turned 30. He was one of the goal-scorers against the Scots. It's his opinion that with Nagelsmann as boss, the national team has gained stability and clarity.

We had quality even before, but we couldn't get it together. Now we have a team out on the pitch, says the striker.

Nagelsmann gave the players Saturday off to enjoy the victory and load up for the meeting with Hungary in Stuttgart on Wednesday.

We've won one match, but we need to win at least one more to advance. Hungary is an unpleasant opponent, difficult to get a grip on, he says.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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