Germans pose Spain's first true test with a historic weight

Two teams who between them won every major title from 2008 through to 2014, it’s unsurprising that they’d think about one another often.

TRUE TEST: Spain will pose Germany's first true test at Euro 2024.

Julian Nagelsmann is suddenly just a little limelight shy. Germany’s manager, a still-young man of wild ambition, keenly aware of his personal brand, is trying to turn it down a little. Good luck with that, Jules.

A fan video went viral in recent days here of Nagelsmann making his way to the stands after the game against Switzerland. Klaas Heufer-Umlauf, a huge star of German TV, is perched on the barrier to greet the coach but is left red-faced when it is, in fact, Nagelsmann’s brother standing behind him who he’s making a beeline for, not the megawatt personality. Boris Becker was among those getting a kick out of Heufer-Umlauf’s awkward exit.