‘GERMANS MUST HEED SWISS WAKE-UP CALL’

Dont repeat 1992 side’s costly mistake of underestimating opponents, urges ex-coach

HERZOGENAURACH Euro 2024 hosts Germany know that they are not infallible, despite having strong home support as they seek to win their first major trophy since the 2014 World Cup.

They head into their last-16 clash with Denmark on June 29 in Dortmund hoping to have learnt from their 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their final group-stage match.

After a decade of struggles, the Germans were riding high after wins over Scotland and Hungary to start the Euro. However, they came crashing back down to earth against Switzerland and were on course for defeat, before Niclas Fullkrug's stoppage-time header snatched a draw - and, with it, first place in Group A.

It was a wake-up call, particularly with fans already eyeing a fourth Euro crown, and a reminder that coach Julian Nagelsmann has plenty to work on.

Germany are still favourites for this match, but it was a similar situation in the Euro 1992 final before they were famously beaten 2-0 by the Danes.

A Euro and World Cup winner as a player, Berti Vogts coached Germany in that heartbreaking game and admitted in his column in the RP newspaper on June 27 that his team "underestimated" Denmark.