Euro 2024 has kicked off in style, and to celebrate the first football tournament in Germany since 2006 we have German football journalist Hendrik Buchheister on the pod this week! Hendrik writes for SPIEGEL, Sportschau, RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, and Elf Freunde, among others, and brings his expert knowledge to discuss the possibility of another Sommermärchen.

We discuss the gloomy atmosphere surrounding the beginning of the tournament, and whether a successful tournament for Die Mannschaft might raise spirits across the country. We also find out what it’s like to cover a major tournament in Hendrik’s home country, the peril of late goals, and how to spot Germany players training from a kilometer away.

We also get a chance to discuss Hendrik’s fantastic book, We call it a Klassiker: Die Engländer, der Fußball und wir, which covers the storied rivalry between England and Germany.

For those of you looking to support Ukraine or the many refugees currently fleeing the conflict, please take a look at these different charities and consider donating if you can.

Ukraine Crisis Media Centre - A list of different donation pages to help the Ukrainian military response.

Disaster Emergency Committee - Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Save the Children

Ärzte ohne Grenzen

Theme tune courtesy of Kloß mit Soß