GERMANY had its opening game against Scotland for the 2024 Euros on Friday June 14, 2024.
The German national anthem has a complicated history, but why and what do the lyrics mean?
The German anthem is called ‘Deutschlandlied’ and has a long, complicated history.
But it wasn’t until 1922 — when the Weimar Republic emerged from the wreckage of World War One — that it became the anthem of Germany.
The third verse is now the only part sung and will be the one used at the Euros: “Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Für das deutsche Vaterland! Danach lasst uns alle streben Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand! Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Sind des Glückes Unterpfand; Blüh’ im Glanze dieses Glückes, Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!”
In English, it translates to: Unity and justice and freedom For the German fatherland! Towards these let us all strive Brotherly with heart and hand! Unity and justice and freedom Are the foundation of happiness; Flourish in the radiance of this happiness, Flourish, German fatherland! EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT
The “Deutschlandlied” is about the aspiration for German unity, justice, and freedom. It reflects the historical context of its time and has evolved to symbolize these values for the German nation today. The national anthem is also known as ‘Das Lied der Deutschen’, or ‘The Song of the Germans’.
The music was written way back in 1797 by the Austrian composer Joseph Haydn. The melody was originally written as a hymn for the birthday of Emperor Francis II of the Holy Roman Empire. Later, in 1841, August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben wrote the lyrics that are now associated with the anthem. This combination of Haydn’s music and von Fallersleben’s lyrics became the anthem that is used today, with the third verse being the official national anthem of Germany.
The “Deutschlandlied” is not about a specific person. Instead, it is a patriotic song that expresses the ideals of unity, justice, and freedom for the German nation as a whole.
Yes the anthem changed after World War Two. Following the war, two verses were dropped from the anthem due to their nationalistic content. This included the infamous ‘Deutschland, Deutschland über alles’, which translates to ‘Germany, Germany above all’. Only the third stanza was sung in West Germany from 1952 onwards — and once the Berlin Wall came down and there was unification in 1990, it was adopted for the whole country.
GERMANY’S reputation as tournament football’s greatest nation has taken a battering in recent years.
MANAGER: Julian Nagelsmann
Bright, young and a bit of a maverick. The ex-Bayern Munich boss is known for his flashy outfits and arriving for training on a skateboard.
STAR MAN: Jamal Musiala
The 21-year-old former Chelsea star could have been playing for England and can make things happen out of nothing.
How Germany attack
Toni Kroos will typically drop deep to take the ball off the defence with the Germans then overloading the side of the pitch the ball is on.
That gives them the option of either passing through the congested area or attacking the other side with a crossfield ball to the man in space.
How Germany defend
Germany’s striker and the team’s five midfielders will form a diamond shape in the hope of preventing the opposition playing through the middle.
Should opponents then play the ball wide, the German full-backs will be expected to press high up the pitch in an attempt to win possession.
Read the full Germany Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
