As the host of the 2024 European Championship in Germany, I am naturally concerned about the appearance and impact of the home team.

It is important for the atmosphere and aim of a tournament that Germany play courageously and spread optimism. That the team has characters in its ranks with whom the fans can identify. That it knows and that you can tell that it is playing at home.

The public wants to measure players by the way they take responsibility and see a team grow in the course of the tournament.

If, in addition, they develop a national style on the pitch, which happens inevitably, the scope of national teams and the social significance of European or World Cups become obvious.

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