Euro 2024 in Deutschland!

[Trents]

Adidas are floundering as well, because the DFB have agreed to change to Nike from the 2027 season, the American company doubling Adidas bid of €50m.

The natives are not happy; Germany have worn Adidas for 70 years, and the DFB have come under some significant criticism for the change, especially as they are moving to a US company. Puma would have been acceptable, but not Nike. There have been questions raised in parliament, recently Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck spoke (rather eloquently, it has to be said) about the disappointment he felt with the switch.

To be honest, I am absolutely staggered nobody spotted this. In the era of „squad numbers“, no club in Germany will ever field a player wearing „88“ (synonymous with „Heil Hitler“) either. It does not take a great deal of intelligence to have a look at that font, and think „Hang on, we might have a problem here…“

I fell foul of this many years ago as a naive squaddie. I bought a Fortuna Dusseldorf shirt and had Trents with the number 88 on the back. Had no idea on the Hitler significance. I was big into poker at the time and 88 was my favourite hand.

I was soon put straight by the locals though.

 

[Strummer]

I fell foul of this many years ago as a naive squaddie. I bought a Fortuna Dusseldorf shirt and had Trents with the number 88 on the back. Had no idea on the Hitler significance. I was big into Poker at the time and 88 was my favourite hand.

I was soon put straight by the locals though.

Also, whilst you can get „custom“ number plates for your car here (in Germany, the plate stays with the driver, not the car) you are not allowed to get a plate with „88“ on it.

That is considered rather bad, and will earn you a telling off from the Drivers‘ Office.

 

[Redemption]

SO what happens if your name is Helmut Hortzinger or Hans Hittsplitzer or Helena Hubertzplatz?

 

[Strummer]

SO what happens if your name is Helmut Hortzinger or Hans Hittsplitzer or Helena Hubertzplatz?

„Kein Glück für Sie“ as we say in these parts.

The „88“ salutation has been of course co-opted by far-right organisations as well, which is another reason why it is banned. But then, at AfD rallies, it isn‘t unusual to see the occasional idiot wearing an „Adolf war die beste!“ t-shirt, unfortunately.

Such matters are policed by the Federal Republic‘s long-established laws on the promotion or glorification of anything relevant to the 1933-45 era, and violations of that can lead to hefty fines or in the worst cases, a spell in prison.

 

[Alan Akbah]

Adidas are floundering as well, because the DFB have agreed to change to Nike from the 2027 season, the American company doubling Adidas bid of €50m.

Did Hugo Boss not bid?

Sad that all this crap has kicked off again, but at least they are straight onto it when it does. No f***ing about with lame excuses.

 

[Strummer]

Did Hugo Boss not bid?

Sadly not, Hugo doesn’t do such sportswear; although if they did, it would probably look sensational, but a replica shirt would be about €350.

 

[Strummer]

Managerial-Contractural news: Julian Nagelsmann, who despite leading Germany since last year, has never led them in a competitive match (by virtue of their being hosts of Euro 2024) has extended his contract as trainer of Die Nationalelf up until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup. Previously, he was hired on a short-term deal until the end of Euro 2024.

It is widely believed that this is in response to murmurings that FC Bayern, who sacked Nagelsmann in March 2023 and then appointed Thomas Tuchel in his place (who they have subsequently announced will leave at the end of this season) were keen on approaching Nagelsmann to return to München and pick up where he left off.

That offer, in part, may well have been due to the fact that the Müncheners number-one choice for next season, Xabi Alonso, has affirmed he will remain with Bayer 04 Leverkusen for (at least) one more season, and now Bayern will go into the summer without a coach. Which is a bit of a pickle to find yourself in.

Alonso, as well, is also coveted by Real Madrid, as well as the scousers, who are looking for someone to replace Jürgen Klopp, of course.

Nagelsmann, it has to be said, has always said he is committed to leading Germany, and in truth, it would be a bit of brass neck from Bayern to try and tempt him back; a bit like your girlfriend, after she‘s binned you off for some handsome hunk she met on Tinder, calls you up and declares it was all a massive mistake, and can‘t you just pick up where you left off?

Fortunately for Germany, the team has looked a lot more up for it in recent friendlies, swatting aside France and the Netherlands, neither of whom are mugs, and are actually looking like a decent side, which bodes ominously for the rest of Euro 2024!