Antonio Rüdiger’s inclusion in the German Euro 2024 squad was confirmed by the owner of a Berlin döner kebab shop, a place he frequented as a school kid. Similarly, Joshua Kimmich received the news from an actor of his favorite TV soap opera on Wednesday.
The German Football Association (DFB) continued its unconventional approach of unveiling players ahead of Thursday’s official provisional squad presentation by coach Julian Nagelsmann. Pascal Gross and Robert Andrich also secured their places in the squad.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Gross was announced by “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” host Günther Jauch, while Andrich of Bayer Leverkusen was revealed by his national team midfield partner Toni Kroos during their podcast, “Einfach mal Luppen.”
“I’m delighted that we’re allowed to do this here, especially with Rob,” said Felix Kroos. “I’m very pleased to be able to say that my good friend Robert Andrich, with whom I played for Union [Berlin] a few years ago, is here officially.”
Andrich, 29, made his national team debut last autumn and was chosen as Kroos’ midfield partner in recent victories against France and the Netherlands. The two are expected to start at the Euros where hosts Germany will face Scotland, Hungary, and Switzerland in the group stage.
Real Madrid veteran Kroos revealed Rüdiger’s nomination in his podcast, while the owner of Hisar kebab shop personally informed Rüdiger of his selection.
Actor Wolfgang Bahro announced Kimmich’s nomination outside the set of the television soap opera “Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten,” of which Kimmich is a big fan.
The DFB has been leaking names since Sunday via various channels to generate excitement and prevent media leaks. Other players confirmed for the squad 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 could also make the provisional squad after a strong season.
Nagelsmann will gather his squad in late May for pre-Euros training and tune-up games against Ukraine and Greece.
Rüdiger, Kroos, Schlotterbeck, and Füllkrug will miss the first week of training, and possibly the Ukraine game, due to their clubs’ involvement in the Champions League final on June 1.
Nagelsmann must submit his final squad list of up to 26 players on June 7, a week before Germany’s opening match against Scotland.
