Germany beat Denmark 2-0 to reach Euro 2024 quarter-finals after storm stops play

DORTMUND, Germany (AP) — Let that patriotic fervor soar. Host Germany is headed to the quarterfinals of the Europe championship after a wet and wild victory against Denmark on Saturday.

“We’re going to Berlin,” sang the jubilant German fans, who were first hit by rain and hail after a thunderstorm halted play for 25 minutes, then saw their team benefit from two video reviews in a row that helped set up a 2-0 win at Dortmund.

Two more wins will take Germany to the capital for the July 14 final in what could yet turn into a summer fairytale for a nation whose football team is coming off a dismal run of performances at major tournaments.

But it could have been very different against the Danes.

The host nation’s buzz erupted when, with the score at 0-0, Danish defender Joachim Andersen swept in a close-range goal that appeared to have given his team the lead in the 50th minute. The video assistant referee spotted an offside in the build-up, a free kick was awarded and the ball was immediately played downfield, leading to a cross from David Raum hitting the outstretched right arm of—who else?—Andersen.

VAR was involved again and a penalty was awarded. Kai Havertz converted the penalty and Jamal Musiala added a second goal – his third of the tournament, tied with Georgian Georges Mikautadze – in the 68th.

“We played a great game, we had crazy fans again today,” said Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck. “We play with euphoria, we play with pleasure, and that’s the most beautiful thing about football.”

It is Germany’s first victory in the knockout stages of a major tournament since 2016, since the national team failed to progress from the group stage at two consecutive World Cups and lost in the round of 16 of the last Euro in 2021 to England.

Germany will next face either Spain or Georgia and become the second team to advance to the last 16, after Switzerland beats defending champions Italy 2-0 earlier Saturday.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann told German broadcaster ZDF that he used the rain delay to show his players the incidents of the match.

Indeed, the players were able to make their way to the dressing room enclosure as thunder, lightning and torrential rain struck, leaving spectators in the front rows exposed as they climbed higher into the stands. Many used the flags they had waved before the match to welcome the players onto the field, as makeshift umbrellas.

“Oh, how beautiful it is,” some sang, and a few Danish fans danced in the waterfalls in the stands.

It was about 20 minutes before the rain eased and the players reappeared, warming up before resuming play a few minutes later.

Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand must have regretted those crucial few minutes when the VAR decisions were made.

“I have the picture here,” he said, pulling out his phone at the post-match press conference. “It was a centimetre (offside). In terms of statistics and data, it doesn’t make any sense. That’s not how we’re supposed to use VAR.”

“And I’m so tired of the ridiculous rule of handball. Joachim was running normally. This is a normal situation.

___

AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024