Flop has been followed by flop.
German national football is not what it used to be. Nevertheless, former Bundesliga pro Emil Forsberg believes in "Die Mannschaft" ahead of the European Championship premiere against Scotland.
I think it's going to be interesting, he says.
Not all football players enjoy watching football. This was evident when Swedish national team players were asked about how they would follow the European Championship during the national team matches against Denmark and Serbia.
To take a voice from the crowd:
It's not interesting to me, I won't be watching much. Maybe I'll follow the players I know, said goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
For Forsberg, it's different. He is also inclined to study and analyse football and sees himself remaining in the sport in some role after his active career.
"Full control"
I'll be following it fully. The European Championship is being played in Germany, and of course, it's a bit annoying that I didn't get the chance to play there. I'll have full control, I have many friends who are playing, he says.
Forsberg tips France to be champions in a month's time, but is excited to see what the Germans can do on home soil.
The reason is spelled out, among other things, by Julian Nagelsmann, his coach during some of Forsberg's (left for New York last winter) nine years in Leipzig.
I believe a lot in Julian and his ideas. He has an interesting team. He has picked his squad based on how he wants to play and how he wants it to be. I think it can be really good if it clicks.
I think Germany will play good football. It will be fun to watch them play, with the players they have brought forward.
Believes in Wirtz and Kroos
How are the discussions in Germany after some poor championships?
There's a lot of discontent, of course. They say "Deutsche Maschine", but it hasn't been that way in recent years, with a lot of ups and downs. People are not satisfied with that, says Forsberg.
He believes that Bayer Leverkusen's offensive midfielder Florian Wirtz can be one of the championship's revelations.
He's had a fantastic season. I think he can have a really good tournament.
That midfield veteran Toni Kroos is rounding off his career on home soil, Emil Forsberg sees as another possible German success factor.
It can give everyone a "boost" and a sense of responsibility to make sure he finishes on a high note. He won the Champions League with Real Madrid, and now all that's missing is the European Championship with Germany. He's an incredible player who can help others become even better, says Emil Forsberg.
Henrik Skiöld/TT
Facts: Germany's recent championships
When Germany beat Argentina in the World Championship final in Rio de Janeiro in 2014, the World Championship gold was taken as a likely intake for a new period of greatness.
That didn't happen.
Germany's championship record over the past eight years:
European Championship 2016: Semi-final.
World Championship 2018: Did not advance from the group stage.
European Championship 2021: Quarter-final
World Championship 2022: Did not advance from the group stage.
Germany meets Scotland in the European Championship premiere on Friday evening.
