There are trainings, there are team meetings, there are video sessions where players watch the game tape of their opponents, there are the game tactics preparations, but there is also a superstition department! Now, there are individual (which sock to put on and in which order, or how to come out to the field), and there are collective ones, like Germany has right now. It was revealed that the Mannschaft eats the same dish before the game out of superstition.In March 2024, the German international team played a friendly game with France. Team’s chief Anton Schmaus prepared veal with mushroom cream sauce, monkfish with leaf spinach and a light butter sauce. The players went to the pitch and won 2-0, courtesy of goals from Florian Wirtz (after only eight seconds) and Kai Havertz and the menu hasn’t been changed ever since. The same dish was served against Netherlands (2-1), Ukraine (0-0), Greece (2-1) and on the opening day against Scotland (5-1). Needless to say that monkfish and veal will be on the menu today before the Hungary match in the second round of EURO 2024. But that’s not all: they also have the same meal for dinner before the game – apple crumble with vanilla sauce.Did Fullkrug ever broke your hand at EURO?If we go back to the footballing subjects, Germany could become the first team in this year’s competition to reach the Round of 16 with a win against the Hungarians. Coach Julian Nagelsmann insists that his team finishes as the first in the group, not only because they are the hosts, but for practical reasons. As group winners, they would face the runner-up of Group C, with favourites England, Slovenia, Denmark and Serbia. As group runners-up, they would have to go to Berlin in the round of 16 and play against the runner-up of Group B, probably Spain or Italy.For the Germans, age is just a numberEngland (17), Italy (15), France (15) and Brazil (13) are the only teams to defeat Germany more than Hungary (12). But, for coach Nagelsmann, their next opponent is in the quality range of Scotland.”We took a deep breath and prepared well. The last few days have done us good. We analyzed them very well and have a clear idea of how we want to play with and against the ball. We don’t expect to shoot every opponent out of the stadium. In the end, it’s about winning. They are a very good team when it comes to switching after winning the ball and have very strong headers. We are also prepared for what to do if the Hungarians take the lead. We have different scenarios. Similarly, we had several plans for Scotland. Personally, I would place the Hungarians at roughly the same level as the Scots. The Hungarian players are under greater pressure due to their loss at the start, so now I expect a slightly more offensive approach from them compared to what the Scots had” said Nagelsmann.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGEWednesday16.00: (1.53) Croatia (3.90) Albania (7.00)19.00: (1.35) Germany (4.90) Hungary (9.50)22.00: (3.70) Scotland (3.40) Switzerland (2.05)Thursday 16.00: (4.10) Slovenia (3.50) Serbia (2.00)19.00: (5.60) Denmark (3.70) England (1.65)22.00: (2.30) Spain (3.30) Italy (3.20)***odds are subject to change***
