BERLIN: “Euro Knockout Kings Germany Primed for Deep Run”,Germany’s storied legacy in the European Championship’s knockout stages continues in Dortmund this Saturday, where they face Denmark in pursuit of further glory.
Of the 10 times the Germans have made it out of the group stage at the Euros, they have gone on to reach the semi-finals on nine occasions and the final six. They are level with Spain with three titles.
Germany also boast the only man to win the tournament as a player and a coach in Bertie Vogts, who was victorious in 1972 and as manager in 1996, beating the Czech Republic 2-1 after extra time at Wembley.
However, that victory, almost 28 years ago to the day, remains the last time the Germans lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy, but even if Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann does not bring the cup home, his job is likely secure.
“Our commitment to Julian Nagelsmann remains steadfast, unaffected by any outcome in the round of 16. Not all eliminations are equal; for us, the emphasis lies on the team’s performance,” affirmed Andreas Rettig, managing director of the German Football Association (DFB), in an interview with an online news outlet. Rettig’s statement underscores the DFB’s focus on evaluating the team’s overall effort rather than solely emphasizing tournament results.
In the early days, West Germany opted out of the first European Championships in 1960 and 1964. Upon entering the competition later, they faced disappointment by failing to qualify for the finals in Italy in 1968.
That lack of success was short-lived, however, and they made it all the way to the final in the next three tournaments, winning in 1972 and 1980 but losing to then-Czechoslovakia in 1976.
