Behind the Scenes of Nagelsmann's EM Planning and Oranje's Role
With Julian Nagelsmann's European Championship (EC) preparations underway, a crucial element hinges on the Netherlands and France. Although tentative, the scheduled March test matches against these powerhouses are reliant on the draw for the EC groups, scheduled for December 2 in Hamburg.
Caution is the theme, as potential opponents must be directly qualified for the finals to avoid playoff matches in March. The DFB (German Football Association) also aims to avoid facing EC preliminary round opponents in the tournament's run-up. The rivals will be finalized soon in the Elbphilharmonie.
A Sealed Deal With France
France's qualification for the EC and their top position in Group A ensure their favorable position in pot 1. Germany will avoid drawing them as an opponent during the upcoming draw. As for the exact venue, Lyon appears likely to host the duel, following credible information from Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
The Netherlands' Quest
Meanwhile, the Netherlands' path to EC qualification remains uncertain. They need to secure victory against Ireland or Gibraltar to secure their spot. Although their position as group runners-up behind France is a certainty, it puts them in a separate draw, increasing the likelihood of facing Germany if the Dutch emerge victorious.
If not, the March test match will shift to Frankfurt am Main or Berlin, where the Turkish match is slated for late February. Consequently, the game will now be played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin to accommodate the revised schedule.
Additional June Test Matches
Germany's national team will play two additional EC tests during their pre-tournament training camp beginning in June. Once the draw for qualifying opponents is complete, the DFB will prioritize opponents that match Germany's Euro counterparts as closely as possible.
As it stands, the March test match with the Netherlands could be in the cards, depending on the draw in Hamburg and Oranje's subsequent qualification success. The DFB's careful selection process will ensure suitable opponents prepared for the upcoming competition.
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Despite sharing the European stage, Germany's encounter with the Netherlands in March for EC preparation is not directly linked to their Nations League quarter-final first-leg tie in 2025, as Germany is set to face Italy instead. Future matchups between the two nations could be possible in tournaments such as the UEFA Nations League or World Cup qualifiers. [4]
