From school kids to warriors, Germany must get serious – Khedira

The hosts may have bowed out of Euro 2024 at the quarterfinals on home soil, but Julian Nagelsmann has given Germany their swagger back after a difficult decade.

Germany came into Euro 2024 after two World Cup group stage exits either side of a meek last 16 loss to England.

But while Friday's extra-time loss to Spain in Stuttgart denied the hosts a chance to celebrate the retiring Toni Kroos with one of the few titles to elude him, the Germans demonstrated they can again mix it with the best.

Germany veteran Manuel Neuer wrote on social media "the dream has been shattered. It's even more bitter, because the team deserved more".

Having spoken through tears pitch side after the game, Nagelsmann sought to shift Germany's focus to the future in the post-match press conference.

"It's sad that I'll probably never be a part of a home Euros in my career again," the coach said.

"That hurts. And having to wait two years to become world champions, that hurts as well."

"You like that statement, don't you?" the coach asked reporters, "it makes your eyes pop, it's crazy.

"What else should I say after we were knocked out? Of course, we want to become world champions."

'Again amongst the best'

Nagelsmann's bullish statements are a far cry from those of his predecessor Hansi Flick after Germany's group stage Qatar World Cup exit.

Flick, who later became the first coach sacked in Germany history, pointed to fundamental problems and called out the country's junior system for failing to produce top players.

After convincing Kroos to return, Nagelsmann swept the broom through Germany's squad, making 11 changes with the Euros in mind.

Several new additions including Robert Andrich and Maximilian Mittelstaedt established themselves in Germany's starting XI, while the coach also found a way to properly play Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz alongside each other.

Germany won just three of 11 games in 2023. Friday's loss to Spain -- with La Roja scoring in the 119th minute -- was Germany's first defeat in 2024, after six wins and two draws.

Kroos, who retired from international football in 2021, was asked by Nagelsmann to return before Euro 2024 and only agreed to come back if he felt Germany had a true shot at winning the tournament.

The 34-year-old signed off after his last game of professional football knowing Germany were in good hands.

"It hurts, particularly in the way it happened. We were absolutely on an equal footing with Spain," said the former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid player.

"But when this initial feeling of sadness is gone, we will realise that we're again amongst the best."

'Not extremely young'

With most of the best managers coaching at domestic level, the 36-year-old Nagelsmann had been tipped for a return to club football but extended his deal to 2026 prior to the tournament.

With the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada two years away, Nagelsmann has his next major challenge in sight.

Although Musiala and Wirtz are both 21 and striker Kai Havertz is 25, Nagelsmann will need to oversee a partial rebuild, with Germany's squad the oldest at Euro 2024.

Kroos' exit is confirmed, but several other Germany veterans could be headed for the door.

Thomas Mueller, 34, who came off the bench late in search of his first goal at a European championship, told reporters afterwards "realistically speaking, it's possible this was my last international game".

Neuer, 38, who won the World Cup in 2014 alongside Kroos and Mueller, said he will "think about it after the tournament".

Even captain Ilkay Gundogan, 33, said he "needed a few more days to think about it and would then make a decision".

Nagelsmann acknowledged "we have a squad which is not extremely young" and confirmed "we will definitely change a few things.

"We will do something with the squad to deliver a few good games and put together the best team for the 2025 World Cup qualifiers."

Veteran Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano insists relations between the players and coach Jorge Sampaoli are not strained after reports of unrest within the team camp.

Sampaoli was roundly criticised for his game plan following a 3-0 loss to Croatia in Argentina's second group game at the World Cup, sparking rumours the 58-year-old would be sacked during the tournament.

"The relationship with the coach is completely normal," Mascherano said ahead of the must-win match against Nigeria in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

"Obviously, when we feel uncomfortable about something we speak with him because if we didn't we would be hypocrites."

Argentina were on the brink of elimination after the Croatia mauling but victory against Nigeria would send them through as runners-up in Group D if leaders Croatia avoid defeat against Iceland.

"We know the situation is tricky," Mascherano said. "We have to be united, to express our opinions, and do everything possible so the team goes into the game in the best position."

Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia has given his backing to Sampaoli after holding a meeting with the embattled coach on Friday, a team source revealed.

Franco Armani is tipped to replace Willy Caballero for the Nigeria clash after the Chelsea goalkeeper's blunder against Croatia, with Sampaoli also expected to ditch his three-match defence and return to a traditional back four.

Argentina legend Diego Maradona wished Lionel Messi on his 31st birthday through an Instragram post. Maradona posted a picture of him with Messi and captioned the image with a short dedication that read `Happy Birthday, Leo Messi’ accompanied by two emoji gifts:  a cake and an arm with a closed fist, as a sign of strength.

Maradona Supported Messi on his last match against Croatia, where the Argentine playmaker came under intense criticism from his countrymen.

Messi’s team mates and friends also celebrated his birthday, he was presented with birthday cake by Argentina team-mates as some of them posted some pictures with Messi on social media. Sergio Aguero wished Messi a happy birthday with a post on his Instagram. The 31-year-old also took time out to meet some of his team-mates' children.

Argentina are gearing themselves up for their final group game against Nigeria which will be held tomorrow at 12 pm in Bangladesh time.

Russian police said early on Wednesday they had received multiple bomb threats in the World Cup host city of Rostov-on-Don, causing bars and restaurants to be evacuated across the city.

"On June 26, police received a series of phone calls about explosives planted at locations in Rostov-on-Don," local police said in a statement.

"Police forces made all the necessary checks and no dangerous objects were found," the statement said. "Currently, all the venues are operating normally."

Increasingly isolated on the global stage, Russia is keen to use the World Cup to project an image of stability and strength. Authorities have vowed to host a safe event and any security incidents involving fans could jeopardise Moscow's efforts.

A policeman at the Topos Congress-Hotel in Rostov-on-Don, which was evacuated at around 2000 GMT on Tuesday, said 16 venues had been evacuated across the city as part of a drill.

On the other side of the city, a manager at the Luciano Italian restaurant said staff had been told to evacuate the building for around two hours after receiving a bomb threat.

"There was a phone call, an anonymous phone call, they said there was a bomb in the building," said the manager, who declined to give their name because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

A spokesman for soccer's world governing body FIFA was not immediately available for comment.

The Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, some 955 km (593 miles) south of Moscow, has so far hosted four matches in the World Cup, including Croatia's 2-1 win over Iceland earlier on Tuesday. The next scheduled match at the venue is on Monday.

The city is just a short distance from Russia's border with eastern Ukraine, where rebels backed by Moscow have been fighting Ukrainian troops since 2014, and its close proximity to the conflict had caused security concerns ahead of the tournament.

The Topos Congress-Hotel is listed as an official World Cup hotel by FIFA, but none of the competing teams are staying there, according to official documents.

Police at the scene said the hotel had been evacuated due to a bomb threat and sniffer dogs were seen entering the building, a Reuters witness said.

Security services were seen questioning people on the street outside the hotel, next to emergency vehicles and a crowd of around 60 evacuated guests who had not yet been allowed back into the building.

Russia was subject to a wave of hoax bomb threats last summer, causing disruption at businesses and public buildings in towns and cities across the country.

The Russian Federal Security Service said in October it had identified four Russian citizens behind the hoax campaign, who were living abroad and using internet phone services to call in the threats anonymously.

Retiring Germany midfielder Toni Kroos is not feeling nostalgic ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Spain that would be his last match as a player if they lose.

Kroos, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid last month and will hang up his boots after the Euros, came out of international retirement this year to chase the one major trophy missing from a vast haul that also includes the 2014 World Cup.

"It is the second most important title you can win and it would have a huge importance for me," the 34-year-old said on Wednesday. "If I did not see having the chance to do it with the team I would not have done it (come back).

"It would be a sensational end but I have also considered the possibility of it not happening. I am not nostalgic at all and did not bring any treats for you (journalists) either," he told a press conference when asked about a possible defeat on Friday spelling the end of his playing career.

"I do not expect tomorrow to be my last game so I assume we will see each other again."

Germany are eyeing their first major title in 10 years after a string of poor tournament displays in recent years, including consecutive World Cup first round exits in 2018 and 2022.

"There were big doubts about the tournament before it started. That's normal after the previous tournaments we had. So we've now reached a minimal goal and whatever the result we won't be speaking about a tournament catastrophe here," said Kroos.

He added the team wanted to make the last eight to avoid another early exit and embarrassment, especially on home soil.

"But anything that comes now is not a bonus. We, as a team, have the goal to win the tournament. So it is not a bonus but we are at a stage in the tournament we wanted to reach.

"We should be satisfied but the demand within the team is to progress further and we are convinced we can do it."

Germany have not managed to beat Spain at a tournament since the 1988 Euros and Spain's Joselu, a teammate of Kroos at Real Madrid, said he wanted to send the midfielder into retirement.

"Because we will win? Is that a good enough answer," he said when asked why Joselu's wish may not materialise.

"We have a lot to offer against it and we have good chances. The Spaniards play good football, we have to give them that, and so do we," Kroos said.

"You can expect a relatively interesting game. It will not be boring, that's my own feeling. I will do everything so his (Joselu's) wish is not fulfilled."