Joshua Kimmich got the next day ticket at the European Championship nomination marathon. The right-back from FC Bayern Munich was nominated for the home tournament by actor Wolfgang Bahro alias Jo Gerner on the set of the series “Good Times, Bad Times”. Kimmich has been known as a fan of the cult show for many years.
In a first-of-its-kind campaign, the DFB is extending the tournament confirmation for the European Championship players over several days and announcing this via TV broadcasts or in internet formats. The official announcement of the entire squad by national coach Julian Nagelsmann will take place on Thursday (1 p.m.) in Berlin.
In Nagelsmann’s concept for the home tournament, Kimmich takes a regular place on the far right in the four-man defense chain. The national coach had moved him back from the six-man position after the test disappointments in November against Turkey (2:3) and in Austria (0:2). The 29-year-old is now taking on this role again at FC Bayern.
For Kimmich, after four unsuccessful attempts and disappointments at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the 2021 European Championship, the home European Championship is the next attempt to finally win a major title with the national team. With 84 international matches, he is the most experienced player in the squad behind the 2014 world champions Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos and Thomas Müller.
50 kebabs for free: Rüdiger gets a European Championship confirmation
Antonio Rüdiger gave 50 Berlin students a free kebab and also received his confirmation for the European Championships. With a nice video message on Instagram, the Real Madrid defense star was informed about his nomination for the home tournament by the operator of his former favorite snack restaurant in the capital.
“Hi, Antonio, my good friend. I wanted to let you know that you have been nominated for the European Championships. Since you were also my guest as a student, the first 50 students will get the kebab for free today,” said the operator of Hisar Fresh Food in the Kreuzberg district. There is a Rüdiger jersey with a dedication hanging on the wall. “Hisar Döner = Best Döner. Huge anticipation for the tournament – let’s gooooo,” replied Rüdiger on Instagram.
A little later, the DFB confirmed an Instagram post from a fan who had discovered Ilkay Gündogan’s poster on Alexanderplatz in Berlin. The DFB captain smiles on an advertising space under the headline: “Ilkay Gündogan for Germany”.
Also Raum, Undav and Wirtz there
The series of social media nominations continued with a last call for David Raum from the ground staff of DFB sponsor Lufthansa. The left-back from RB Leipzig was charmingly invited for the European Championship trip. At the tournament, the 26-year-old will initially be primarily a backup for Stuttgart’s Maximilian Mittelstädt. Club colleague Benjamin Henrichs is also expected to be appointed to his position.
The appointment of Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav was made public on Instagram via the tattoo influencer page “Togoone Tattooing”. The clip shows how a tattoo is done with the VfB professional as the motif.
In the evening, rapper Nina Chuba (25) made the nomination of Bayer Leverkusen’s champion player Florian Wirtz public. The singer announced the 21-year-old’s appointment to the squad at a concert in Hamburg. The midfielder then spoke via video to the cheers of the audience. “I’m looking forward to the nomination and of course to the summer,” said Wirtz and wished the concertgoers a nice evening.
The nominations of Rüdiger and Gündogan for the European Championships are no surprises. After being appointed captain by former national coach Hansi Flick, Gündogan retained this position under Nagelsmann. The DFB head coach uses the midfield star from FC Barcelona more centrally than his predecessor. Surrounded by young stars Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, the 33-year-old is supposed to direct the game.
Rüdiger is a regular for Nagelsmann alongside Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah in central defense. The 31-year-old, like his Real colleague Toni Kroos and Dortmund’s Niclas Füllkrug and Nico Schlotterbeck, will start preparing for the tournament late. The Champions League final between Real Madrid and BVB is still scheduled for June 1st at Wembley.
Kroos brothers announce Andrich’s participation in the European Championship
Robert Andrich had previously received the tournament confirmation from his teammate Toni Kroos early in the morning. In the latest edition of their podcast “Einfach mal luppen”, the Kroos brothers Toni and Felix announced quite solemnly that the defensive midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen will be playing for the national team at a major tournament for the first time in the summer.
“I’m very happy that we can do this here, especially with Rob. The bond with him is well known, we discussed that and that I can say this here, officially, that my good friend Robert Andrich, with him I played together at Union a few years ago,” said Felix Kroos.
Andrich, the sidekick of Toni Kroos
Andrich made his national team debut under Nagelsmann in the fall. In March, the 29-year-old was chosen by Toni Kroos to be his partner in defensive midfield after Toni Kroos’ DFB comeback. According to reports, Kroos also campaigned for this. Andrich is considered an uncompromising winner with leadership qualities. Due to his rise in the DFB circle, Leon Goretzka, who was not nominated, also lost his standing.
As usual, the Kroos brothers chatted quite flippantly about the nomination. Toni Kroos expressed concern that he might not be at the European Championships after all. “Maybe I’ll introduce the person who took my place at the end. It’s going to be smooth in the end,” joked Kroos, who will definitely be at the European Championships and practically himself in February when he announced his return to the DFB had issued the EM ticket. Nagelsmann will announce the final squad, which will probably initially consist of 26 or 27 players, on Thursday (1 p.m.) in Berlin.
Jauch asks 500 euro question: Big in the European Championship squad
On Günther Jauch’s quiz show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Pascal Groß is not there – but he is at the European Championships. The 32-year-old professional from English Premier League club Brighton
In Groß, Andrich and Aleksandar Pavolovic, who got his European Championship ticket on RTL on Monday, three players are fixed for the six position. Kroos is set anyway, even if it hasn’t been announced yet. Groß made his national team debut in September under former national coach Hansi Flick. Nagelsmann also relies on the calm and reliable strategist in the defensive midfield, who has been playing at the highest level in England for years.
