On June 14, the opening match of the European Championship will kick off tomorrow at 3 a.m. with hosts Germany facing Scotland. Ahead of the game, German captain Ilkay Gündogan shared a letter to fans on social media.
Gündogan writes:
Dear fans, tonight’s opening game of the Euros is not just a dream come true for me; as captain leading our national team in a home-hosted European Championship, I am filled with excitement.
Just as we have experienced ups and downs as a team in recent years, my journey wearing the German jersey has been one of complexities. Being the first captain with immigrant roots (Gündogan has Turkish heritage) to lead the German team onto the pitch fills me with even greater pride. To lead such a special squad, influenced by many different cultures, which is precisely what makes our German national team strong in the 2024 Euros, is an honor.
We have seen and felt in the past that football has the power to unite people. As a team, we aim to bring our nation closer together over the next four weeks, contributing to a stronger sense of unity and making people proud of their German national team, all while welcoming millions of guests to our beautiful country with open, respectful, and friendly attitudes.
We aspire to be European champions, but even if we don’t lift the trophy, it will still be a fantastic tournament. Just like in 2006 when we hosted the World Cup, and I was 15, participating in the festive atmosphere despite finishing third. We must acknowledge that some teams might be more consistent and better prepared than us. However, with the tremendous support of our fans, we can win this home-soil Euros on many levels.
As great hosts, let’s help make our collective dream a reality on the pitch!