Dribble Diaries

Doris Fitschen died on Saturday at the age of 56. She has had decades of success in women's football, whether it is in her playing career, coaching adventures, or leadership duties. Between 1986 and 2001, Fitschen played for Germany 144 times. She participated in the 1989 European Championships triumph, which saw Die National elf win their first international championship, at the tender age of 21. She was chosen as the tournament's Golden Player as well. Fitschen went on to win four more European Championships, the most recent of which occurred in 2001, just before she retired. Fitschen received a special achievement award from UEFA when she retired. She won four German club football titles with 1. FFC Frankfurt and TSV Siegen. In addition, she won the DFB Pokal four times. Following her playing career, she managed the women's national team from 2009 to 2016, leading them to two European Championships and an Olympic gold medal. Before her untimely death, Fitschen...

The players are all frustrated, the supporters are sad, and the excitement leading up to the home EUROS is at an all-time low when the game against Austria ends in a 0–2 loss in December 2023. This was the general atmosphere during Leon Goretzka's final match for Germany. Goretzka still had a lot of hope of participating in a home tournament after earning 57 caps for his country, but Nagelsmann had to make the difficult decision to leave Goretzka off of the final EUROS roster. A serious setback for the midfield player. After a few months, Goretzka is seen playing at his peak once more for his team, and his impressive play was not overlooked! His coach had some encouraging things to say about him prior to his return, and he was part of the most recent squad selection: "We primarily base our team selection on current performance. Who is worthy of being on the team at this time? In my view, Leon [Goretzka] is playing well right now, has developed and grown off the field...

A number of well-known Bundesliga players are nearing the end of their contracts as January draws near. Here are the top 10 Bundesliga players who are currently scheduled to become free agents in the summer of 2025, ranked by value according to Transfer market: 10. Hoffenheim's Jacob Bruun Larsen Value at market: €6 million The former Borussia Dortmund player has played more and produced some outstanding performances since Christian Ilzer became coach of Hoffenheim. It's still unclear if he will sign a new deal with Hoffenheim or move on to another team. 9. FC Bayern's Thomas Müller Value at market: €6 million The Bayern veteran has not yet stated if he will sign a new short-term deal with the team he has played for his whole career. Alternatively, if he chooses to further his career, a transfer to the MLS might be an option. 8. Wolfsburg's Ridle Baku (Value at market: €7,000,000) For some time now, there have been rumors that Baku, who can play both right-back and r...

Bayern Munich has confirmed that the number 5 shirt will be retired in memory of Franz Beckenbauer. The legendary number is still vacant following Benjamin Pavard's departure to Inter last summer, and it has been worn by a total of 22 players since 'Der Kaiser' left it. But Bayern president Herbert Hainer announced at the club's AGM on Sunday that it will be staged in memory of their legendary former captain and coach, who died in January. "The number 5 remains reserved for a unique legacy," Hainer indicated. "Because our club and its history are simply unthinkable without Franz." Beckenbauer earned 15 major medals with Bayern during three combined stints, including a hat-trick of European Cups throughout his lengthy playing career. He eventually became the club's president for 15 years before stepping down in 2009. 

England hosts Germany in a replay of the Euro 2022 final at Wembley. Sarina Wiegman maintains she will always remember England's European Championship victory, but she is looking forward to more success as the Lionesses prepare for the next competition in 2025. England will face Germany at Wembley Stadium on Friday in a rematch of the Euro 2022 final, which saw Wiegman's team win their first major championship with goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly. During a press conference at St George's Park, Wiegman stated, "We will always cherish that - it's one of the big moments in my career and life, but now is now; moving forward, it's a completely different team." "We've moved on, and the next Euros begin next summer. "You always want to go faster, but the league's level has improved, as has international football; it has developed, which is what we want, but it means we must also develop. "We just know where we want to be on July...

Alexandra Popp, a German female football star, will retire from the German national team on Monday night in Duisburg. Alexandra Popp's German national team career will officially end on Monday night in Duisburg. The 33-year-old is a well-known character in German football circles, having scored 67 goals in 145 matches for her country since making her senior debut in 2010. Over the course of 14 years, she has become the face of German women's football. Despite the fact that the German ladies still have a major international tournament to compete in next summer, Popp's body showed signals during this summer's Olympics that the pressure of representing her country was too great. In a tearful video message earlier this month, the career VfL Wolfsburg player announced her retirement from international competition. "Dear fans and colleagues," Popp began in early October, "For 18 years, 14 of which were at the top level, I had the pleasure and privilege of pr...

Julian Nagelsmann was asked if he could see himself keeping his job as the Germany coach beyond his current term at a press conference on Sunday. The sporting director of the German national team, Rudi Völler, stated in an interview with Die Welt that he hopes Julian Nagelsmann will continue as head coach after the World Cup in 2026, when his present contract ends. "We'll make an effort to persuade Julian that continuing as coach for an additional few years makes sense. When the moment is right, we'll see. Naturally, the DFB is delighted to have Julian Nagelsmann," Völler stated. Nagelsmann "can only decide for himself" whether to continue after the World Cup, Völler added in an interview with Die Welt. "He's a young guy who might have ambitions to do something else." Nagelsmann responded to Völler's remarks at a press conference on Sunday evening, leaving everything open. "When you accept the position, you have a strong convict...

On Sunday, the Three Lions will take on La Roja in Berlin. Gareth Southgate feels Spain are the rightful favourites for Sunday's Euro 2024 final, warning his England squad that they must be "perfect" to end the country's 58-year drought. Southgate's team is on their way to Berlin for their first major event final away from home, having defeated the Netherlands on Wednesday night thanks to Ollie Watkins' dramatic late winner in the semi-final. While England has been reluctant to warm up to the tournament, saving their finest performance for the Dutch following a sluggish group stage, Spain has looked like the summer's strongest squad since the first round of matches. Luis de la Fuente's men defeated pre-Euros favourites France in the last four on Tuesday after defeating Croatia and holders Italy in the group stage, as well as hosts Germany in the quarter-finals. With La Roja also benefiting from an extra day's rest before the final, Southgate insis...

Borussia Dortmund have announced the acquisition of Stuttgart captain Waldemar Anton for a reported €22.5 million. The centre-back has signed a four-year contract at the Westfalenstadion, becoming the second defensive standout to leave Sebastian Hoeneß's side after Hikori Itō moved to Bayern Munich. Anton, who was part of Germany's EURO 2024 squad, joined Stuttgart in 2020 after rising through the ranks at Hannover, and went on to make 129 appearances for the club, scoring four goals. He departs after leading Die Roten to second place in the Bundesliga and qualified for the Champions League for the first time since winning the league in 2007. Anton has been signed to replace Dortmund legend Mats Hummels.

Five things we learnt during the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, where England, Spain, France, and the Netherlands advanced to the final four. Unconvincing England shows determination to reach the final four. England is in their third semi-final in four tournaments under Gareth Southgate, and while it has not been an easy watch, the Three Lions remain in contention. Southgate changed his team's shape against Switzerland, a tactical approach that improved England's off-ball performance, despite a glaring lack of opportunity creation. Once again, an individual moment saved England, as Bukayo Saka's precise finish forced extra time after Breel Embolo's opening goal for Switzerland. After falling behind just five minutes earlier, Southgate's side responded with a goal in the 80th minute, repeating Jude Bellingham's last-gasp heroics in the last 16. England has not been impressive, but their reluctance to lose bodes well for the remainder of the tournament. Previous teams ...

Toni Kroos has apologised for injuring Pedri in Germany's Euro 2024 defeat to Spain, claiming it was "not my intention". Pedri was taken off in the first few minutes of the quarter-final on Friday (5 July), after colliding with the turf following a foul by Kroos. The latter avoided a ticket for the tackle but was given a yellow card later in the game, which Spain won in the dying stages of extra time. Pedri, 21, will not play for Spain in the semi-finals against Portugal or be fit for the final if his country qualifies, while Kroos, 34, played his farewell match on Friday. In an Instagram post on Saturday (6 July), the Germany midfielder wrote, "Very important to me: Apologies to @pedri and best wishes for a speedy recovery! "It was clearly not my aim to damage you. Best wishes for a swift recovery. "You are an excellent player."  Germany trailed Spain after Dani Olmo scored, but the Euros hosts equalized in the 89th minute thanks to Florian Wirtz...

Two exciting EURO 2024 matches began on Friday, with four giants competing for a berth in the competition's semi-finals. Here's how things are shaping up in Germany. Spain wins a dramatic quarter-final with a last-minute extra time goal.   Spain advanced to the EURO 2024 semi-finals thanks to the most dramatic of last-minute goals, a 2-1 win. That was despite the fact that La Roja suffered an early setback when Pedri was injured by Toni Kroos and had to be replaced after only seven minutes. Both teams struggled to gain a foothold in the game in the first half, but it was Pedri's replacement Dani Olmo who broke the deadlock, latching on to a brilliant pass from Lamine Yamal and finishing in the bottom corner. Unai Simon was forced to make a great stop from a Robert Andrich long-range shot, before Niclas Füllkrug struck the post with a Florian Wirtz cross.  Germany kept coming, and Kai Havertz almost chipped Simon with an outrageous effort that would've been a fantast...

Major international competitions are typically the finest places for wonderkids to play their best football.  Many young players have emerged from the shadows at the World Cup and European Championship in recent years, firmly establishing themselves as household names and frequently putting themselves front and center in the shop window. Euro 2024 is likely to fulfill that function for a number of the continent's most talented young players, many of whom are making their international debuts. While some of players who have shone best are already established pros at major teams, they have undoubtedly improved their profile in Germany. Riccardo Calafiori (Italy) Riccardo Calafiori is well-known among those who follow Serie A. The centre-back has paired Alessandro Bastoni during Italy's three group stage games, helping Bologna defy expectations and qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the league was reformatted. Despite advancing to the round of 16, the Azz...

The final set of EURO 2024 groupings was completed on Wednesday. Here's a recap of the action from day 13. What happened? 📝. All four countries started the day with three points apiece, and after a goalless draw between Belgium and Ukraine and a 1-1 tie between Slovakia and Romania, the teams concluded with four points each for the first time in Euros history. As a result, Ukraine was eliminated from the competition based on goal differential. In the evening kick-offs, Georgia upset Portugal with a 2-0 victory, while Turkey advanced to the European Championship knockout rounds for the first time since 2008, defeating Czech Republic 2-1. Player of the day! 🔥 Earlier today, Napoli manager Antonio Conte told reporters that retaining Kvara Kvaratskhelia was a must for him. That mission may be about to get much more difficult, as the Georgian sensation had all eyes on him when he handed his team the most unlikely of leads against Portugal after only 93 seconds. In Naples, the ma...

Gareth Southgate claims that England fans' booing and jeering of him is "causing an issue" for his players, who he adds will need their backing at Euro 2024. When the head coach and his assistant, Steve Holland, entered the pitch following Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Slovenia in Cologne, they were welcomed with a harsh reception. Despite the fact that the outcome secured top spot in Group C as they prepare for the knockout stage, the pair were booed by the travelling fans, and cups were thrown on the field after another lackluster performance by the Three Lions. "I understand it," Southgate said in his post-match press conference. "I won't back down from it. The most essential thing is that supporters stick with the team. "I understand the narrative toward me, which is better for the squad than it is toward them. However, it creates an odd operating environment. I have never seen another squad qualify and obtain similar results. "I understa...

The group rounds of EURO 2024 are halfway through, and yesterday's matches feature France, the Netherlands, and Ukraine. This is The Debrief of what happened on the eighth day. What took place? 📃 Ukraine defeated Slovakia 2-1 after falling behind by a goal to guarantee that they will have a good chance of qualifying for the next round of matches. In the meantime, France held the Netherlands to a 0-0 draw while surviving a near-accident thanks to VAR. As a result of their 3-1 loss to Austria, Robert Lewandowski's Poland were eliminated, making them the first team to exit the competition. Player of the day 🔥 Austria easily defeated Poland with a strong performance from Christoph Baumgartner, who scored the second goal with a beautiful finish. In an all-action performance, he won eight duels, was fouled four times, and had four touches in the Poland box. Best part of the day 😍 This tournament, VAR has been essentially nameless thus far, making decisions that are easy to und...

  The European Championship has recently grown in size and quality to unprecedented levels. Since Euro 2016, the tournament has grown from 16 to 24 teams, giving smaller countries a better chance of reaching the competition's finals, as illustrated by first-time qualifiers Georgia in 2024. However, the knockout stages have become more accessible to participants. Instead of the top two sides automatically qualifying from the group stage and all remaining sides returning home, a number of third-placed teams at the Euros now reach the last 16. The top two finishers in each group go to the knockout stages, just as they did before the Euros expanded. The leading and second-place teams in each of the six groups will automatically advance to the Euro 2024 round of 16. However, finishing outside of the top two does not mean the end for participating nations. In actuality, the four best performing third-placed teams in the group stages will advance to the round of 16, despite facing some d...