Berlin (dpa) – One week before the opening game, tournament director Philipp Lahm feels the German national football team is making sound progress in its preparations for the home Euros. Germany won its final pre-tournament friendly against Greece in Mönchengladbach on Friday evening 2:1. But the squad under national coach Julian Nagelsmann still had work to do, Lahm told the dpa. “I think they’ll be able to make good use of the remaining week,” said Lahm, who was on the German team that won the World Cup in 2014. Lahm noted that there were four players who were recently involved in the Champions League final – Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger of winners Real Madrid and final losers Nico Schlotterbeck and Niclas Füllkrug of Borussia Dortmund. “Their involvement in the Champions League final meant they weren’t able to join us until later,” said the 40-year-old.
It would be hugely important for the team to get off to a good start, said Lahm, referring to the opening disappointments at the 2018 World Cup (0:1 against Mexico), the 2022 World Cup (1:2 against Japan) and the 2021 Euros (0:1 against France). “We’ve seen in the last few tournaments that if you don’t make a good start, you’re instantly under pressure and then things get tough,” said Lahm. “That’s why I’d just like to see a clear win that sparks enthusiasm throughout the country.” Lahm scored the first goal at the World Cup hosted by Germany in 2006.
