GERMAN football fans have given ‘Die Mannschaft’ a whole new meaning with their own naked national team.
And they are challenging 11 brave English souls to strip off and face them as Mother Nature intended in a one-off match during Euro 2024.
Germany’s ‘Nacktionalmannschaft’ – or ‘naked team’ is run by photographer Gerrit Starczewski.
He will be at England’s opening game in Gelsenkirchen today looking for hardy players to form a starkers Three Lions squad willing to bare all in a game next Sunday.
Starczewski, 37, told SunSport: “Our dream is to play England. And this is the best moment to challenge Germany. We are waiting.
“I am driving to Gelsenkirchen and will be handing out leaflets to see if the English are up for it.”
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Germany’s naked team was set up in 2015 by a group of fans growing disillusioned by the growing commercialism within the game.
Their last match was in May and it drew a crowd of around 1,000 fans.
They also played against Holland – or the appropriately named ‘Nether’ lands in 2021 and they held out for a ballsy draw.
The team includes women. Squad numbers are painted on the players’ backs and the only kit worn is socks.
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Starczewski said: “Maybe the England players can wear red and we will wear black or white. We don’t mind.
“To us football should be natural, simple. Not all about money, money, money. So this is why we play naked.
“And it is fine for men and women to hug each other when a goal is scored because we are about body positivity too. There is nothing sexual in it.
“I know it is funny to see people play naked but honestly, after about one minute the fans forget that nobody is wearing any clothes.
He joked: “And in a normal game you get booked for taking your shirt off to celebrate. With us, you get booked if you put one on.”
England Euro 2024 guide
GARETH SOUTHGATE is under no illusions coming into this competition – it is win or bust.
The Three Lions have never had a better opportunity to end their 58-year wait for a major international trophy given the talent and experience they have in their armoury.
MANAGER: Gareth Southgate
The former England star has come closer than anyone since Sir Alf Ramsey to ending the Three Lions’ trophy hoodoo.
Southgate is aware that the nations expects, and has even suggested he will quit if he doesn’t deliver the European Championship.
STAR MAN: Jude Bellingham
The Real Madrid star is arguably the world’s best player at the moment and gives England the platform they need to dominate big games.
How England attack
England will look to dominate the ball against almost everybody.
Declan Rice is crucial in progressing the ball, Bellingham, Saka and Foden will rotate to pull defenders out of position and Kane can both score and drop deep to provide chances for others.
How England defend
England press man-to-man with the midfield pushing up to support Kane when the ball is lost and look to win it as close to the opposition goal as possible.
However, the left-back spot could be a cause for concern, particularly with Luke Shaw entering the tournament with fitness worries.
Read the full England Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags.
Germany are rumoured to be experts at dead-ball situations but Sarczewski reckons his team is just made up of eager fans trying to make a point.
He added: “Most England fans go to games almost naked anyway with their shirts off so why not take everything off?”
Starczewski even has a pitch ready and waiting. A field near Cologne, where England play their last group match on Tuesday week, has been earmarked to host the unique game.
He said: “On the flyer will be a QR code for all the details to play in the match. It will be great.”
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Germany Euro 2024 guide
GERMANY’S reputation as tournament football’s greatest nation has taken a battering in recent years.
The hosts haven’t won a knockout game in eight years and the pressure is on for them to get it right in front of their home crowd.
MANAGER: Julian Nagelsmann
Bright, young and a bit of a maverick. The ex-Bayern Munich boss is known for his flashy outfits and arriving for training on a skateboard.
STAR MAN: Jamal Musiala
The 21-year-old former Chelsea star could have been playing for England and can make things happen out of nothing.
How Germany attack
Toni Kroos will typically drop deep to take the ball off the defence with the Germans then overloading the side of the pitch the ball is on.
That gives them the option of either passing through the congested area or attacking the other side with a crossfield ball to the man in space.
How Germany defend
Germany’s striker and the team’s five midfielders will form a diamond shape in the hope of preventing the opposition playing through the middle.
Should opponents then play the ball wide, the German full-backs will be expected to press high up the pitch in an attempt to win possession.
Read the full Germany Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
