- Germany were knocked out of the European Championship in extra time by a header from Mikel Merino
- Julian Nagelsmann’s men have written a letter to the fans after the disappointing departure
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German footballers have written an emotional letter to their supporters after being knocked out of the 2024 European Championship by Spain.
The home team were knocked out in the quarter-finals in Stuttgart after a thrilling match, with Mikel Merino breaking their hearts after he headed in a goal in the 119th minute.
Julian Nagelsmann’s team appeared to have saved their tournament chances with Florian Wirtz’s injury-time equaliser, forcing extra time.
But just minutes after Niclas Fullkrug had made a fantastic save from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, Merino was met by a cross from Dani Olmo, leading to wild scenes.
This abruptly ended Germany’s hopes of winning the tournament, as the country was among the favourites. Germany has now sent a letter to fans to express their disappointment and thank the nation for their support.
German stars have written a letter to their supporters after being kicked out of the 2024 European Championship
Mikel Merino’s header in extra time ensured Spain beat the home side in the quarter-finals
The letter read: ‘Dear fans, we wanted to give you and ourselves the title at this European Championship on home soil. In Germany. For Germany. We didn’t succeed. And that really hurts us.
‘But there will be something left of this tournament.
“What remains are your emotions. How you encouraged us, celebrated us and carried us through the tournament to the quarterfinals. We missed your enthusiasm and your affection in the past years. Now we earned it again and felt it in every moment.
‘What remains are the images. Of you cheering on the streets, in the stadiums, in the fan zones, in the living rooms, in our kits, in white, but also in pink and purple. You were completely detached.
‘And hopefully we remember how we played, fought and scored for you. Unfortunately not often enough against Spain.
‘You have made this EC a home EC. Exactly as we wanted. Thank you for three fantastic weeks of tournaments. It was a pleasure.
‘Your national team.’
Germany’s elimination from the European Championship came after a number of impressive performances en route to a quarter-final defeat by Spain.
Nagelsman’s team finished as group winners after beating Scotland and Hungary and drawing 1-1 with Switzerland.
Germany then defeated Denmark 2–0 in the round of 16, thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.
Germany’s elimination from Euro 2024 came after they produced some impressive performances in the group stage
Nagelsmann later held an emotional press conference after the match, insisting, while fighting back tears, that his team did not deserve to lose.
“It hurts because we can’t do better in the next two years and I will probably never experience a home tournament again in my career,” Nagelsmann said.
‘We have created a great symbiosis with the people all over the country.
“If we had performed badly, it would have been justified and we wouldn’t have had to fight back the tears. There was never a moment when my players didn’t give everything.”