Germany national team manager Jürgen Klopp sang Otto Rehhagel’s praises in Thessaloniki on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s UEFA Nations League match against Greece, joking that the historic 2004 European Championship triumph would never have happened without Rehhagel. The visiting German squad arrived in Greece to unseasonally warm 24°C weather following a training session in Herzogenaurach.
Sunny arrival in Thessaloniki sets the mood for Germany
After a chilly departure from Herzogenaurach, the German delegation stepped into late-summer warmth in the Greek port city on the Thermaic Gulf. Despite the brisk autumn air left behind in Germany, the mood within the camp remained high ahead of Sunday’s fixture at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. Kickoff is scheduled for 20.45 local time.
Klopp sings Rehhagel’s praises and recalls Euro 2004
During the pre-match press conference alongside Aleksandar Pavlović, Klopp reflected on Greece’s sensational Euro 2004 title under German coach Otto Rehhagel. With Pavlović born just weeks before the 2004 tournament began, and Klopp himself coaching Mainz at the time, the current manager joked that his archive couldn’t stretch back 22 years before bursting into song: Ohne Otto wär’ das nicht passiert
—meaning “Without Otto, that wouldn’t have happened.” Pavlović quickly agreed with his manager during the media session.
Urbig set for second start in goal
FC Bayern Munich goalkeeper Jonas Urbig will retain his place in the starting lineup on Sunday following his appearance in the 2-0 victory over Serbia. Bundestrainer Klopp explained that Urbig will earn a second cap because he sees less regular club playing time as Manuel Neuer’s backup in Munich. Marc-André ter Stegen remains the team’s primary goalkeeper for the moment, while Alexander Nübel previously featured in the Netherlands fixture and the reverse fixture against Greece.
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