'We saw a team' - Euro 2024 director Lahm lauds resurgent Germany

Euro 2024 director Philipp Lahm was pleased to see a victory in Julian Nagelsmann’s first game in charge of Germany as the host nation rebuilds for next year’s tournament.

Germany, only playing friendlies in the run-up to hosting the Euros, won 3-1 in the United States on Saturday after former Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann replaced the sacked Hansi Flick.

“We saw a team again that played passionate football,” the 2014 World Cup-winning captain told a news conference on Monday.

“You saw how quickly enthusiasm can spill over. If you win, that’s all the better. But first and foremost, every citizen has to connect with the team. Now a core, a face must emerge to play a successful European Championship.”

Other teams such as Spain, Scotland, Portugal, Turkey, Belgium and France have already joined Germany in reaching Euro 2024 through the qualifiers, with more nations hoping to join them this week.

Tickets for the tournament, which begins on June 14 next year in Munich, went on sale recently and interest is set to build when the group stage draw is held in Hamburg on December 2.

“We are very happy with the ticket demand,” the 39-year-old Lahm said. “I think demand will be even higher after the draw. Then you know who is playing where. The demand is already very high – especially for the opening match, because Germany are playing.”