Rüdiger and Kimmich Among Latest Additions to German Euro 2024 Squad
Antonio Rüdiger secured his place in the German Euro 2024 squad through a unique announcement at a Berlin döner kebab shop, frequented by him during his school days. Joshua Kimmich, on the other hand, received the news from an actor on the set of his favorite TV soap opera. These announcements were part of the unconventional approach adopted by the national federation DFB to unveil players ahead of coach Julian Nagelsmann's official provisional squad presentation scheduled for Thursday.
Joining Rüdiger and Kimmich are Pascal Gross from Brighton & Hove Albion and Robert Andrich from Bayer Leverkusen. Gross's inclusion was revealed by quiz show host Günther Jauch, while Andrich's selection was announced by his national team midfield partner Toni Kroos during their podcast "Einfach mal Luppen."
Andrich, who made his national team debut last autumn, is expected to partner Kroos in midfield during the tournament. Kroos, a veteran of the 2014 World Cup, confirmed Andrich's inclusion and expressed his satisfaction with their friendship.
The squad announcements have been met with anticipation and excitement, with the DFB employing various mediums, including traditional and social media, influencers, and even an art gallery, to reveal the names of selected players.
The other players revealed so far include Manuel Neuer, Nico Schlotterbeck, Jonathan Tah, Maximilian Mittelstädt, Robin Koch, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Chris Führich, Leroy Sane, Niclas Füllkrug, and Kai Havertz.
Uncapped VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel is also speculated to make the provisional squad after an impressive season.
Coach Nagelsmann will assemble his squad in late May for pre-tournament training and tune-up games against Ukraine and Greece. However, Rüdiger, Kroos, Schlotterbeck, and Füllkrug will join the team later due to their clubs' involvement in the Champions League final on June 1.
Nagelsmann is expected to finalize his squad list of up to 26 players on June 7, a week before Germany's opening match against Scotland in the Euros.
