Germany will have two friendly matches against Ukraine and Greece in June as part of their preparation for the upcoming European championships. The matches will take place just days before the tournament kicks off on home soil. The team announced on Tuesday that they will host Ukraine in Nuremberg on June 3, followed by a match against Greece in Moenchengladbach four days later. Germany’s first Group A match in Euro 2024 will be against Scotland on June 14.
“We have to prepare for different styles and systems of opponents ahead of the Euro 2024,” said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann in a statement. “Ukraine and Greece are two fighting, passionate teams and we had problems with such opponents lately.”
Nagelsmann, who took over as head coach after the dismissal of Hansi Flick in September 2023, has had a mixed start with the team. They secured a win and a draw during a trip to the United States in October, but suffered two consecutive losses in Austria and against Turkey at home in November.
With the European championships approaching, there is increasing pressure on Nagelsmann and his team to deliver strong performances. The coach emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches against Ukraine and Greece, following their recent fixtures against France and the Netherlands in March.
The German national team will travel to France on March 23 before hosting the Netherlands three days later in their friendly matches this month.
Germany will aim to fine-tune their tactics and strategies against Ukraine and Greece, who are known for their fighting spirit and passion on the field. Nagelsmann is aware of the challenges posed by these opponents and is focused on addressing any weaknesses in the team’s performance.
The friendly matches in June will serve as crucial tests for Germany as they seek to build momentum ahead of the European championships. The team will be looking to make a strong impression in front of their home crowd and compete against some of the top teams in Europe.
As the countdown to Euro 2024 continues, Nagelsmann and his players are working hard to improve their form and build cohesion as a team. The matches against Ukraine and Greece will be crucial for assessing the team’s readiness for the tournament and identifying areas for further development.
With expectations high for the German national team, Nagelsmann and his players will be looking to showcase their quality and determination in the upcoming friendlies. The matches against Ukraine and Greece will provide valuable insights and preparation for the challenges that lie ahead in Euro 2024.
(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Ros Russell)
