Germany began their Euro 2016 campaign in the best possible way after they overcame a stern Ukraine side to prevail 2-0. Shkodran Mustafi and Bastian Schweinsteiger were the scorers on the day for Die Mannschaft.
Head-coach Joachim Low was mightily pleased by his side’s performance in their triumph over Ukraine. The German singled out Manuel Neuer’s performances and stated that he is an exemplary leader.
Löw: “Neuer is the best keeper in the world and I told him the other day. He is one of our leaders.” #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/eAT3EzpjRI
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 12, 2016
Low also gave due credit to the opposition for giving the Germans a run for their money.
Löw: “We dominated – but it wasn’t easy against a good Ukrainian defence, but we found solutions.” #EURO2016 #GERUKR pic.twitter.com/Idkkrw29oL
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 12, 2016
Löw: “Overall I’m very satisfied. The Poland game is going to be decisive as both teams have won.” #EURO2016 #GERUKR pic.twitter.com/ymHtQ2OLzm
— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 12, 2016
In the post-match presser, Ukraine head-coach Mykhailo Fomenko stated, “We have to forget about it now and move on to the next match. Physically and mentally we will be fine. For us, the players understood perfectly how difficult it was going to be against a team like Germany, but the most important thing now is that we get the victory in our next game.”
Most passes (111)
Best pass acc. (93%)
Most chances created (5)
Most take-ons (4) pic.twitter.com/zJ8bcTdTnf— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 12, 2016
It was one of the better games for German midfielder Sami Khedira. He dominated the midfield and kept out any threat coming in from the centre. Speaking after the game, the former Real Madrid man explained, “It wouldn’t be right if everything was perfect in the first game. I think when our opponents analyse the match they’ll see our weakness, and that was when we lost the ball – when we did, we should have reacted quicker. Getting the ball from the defenders to the strikers wasn’t good but we got better in the second half.”
Toni Kroos, however, was the best player on the pitch by a country mile and was a deserving Man of the Match winner. According to Squawka, the midfield sensation tallied a game-high 111 passes with an impressive accuracy rate of 93%. After being given the award, Kroos said, “All the Real Madrid players came into the EUROs in great spirits after winning the Champions League. It’s great that I was able to contribute to the win today but we’re not getting carried away – it was only the first game.”
Most passes (111)
Best pass acc. (93%)
Most chances created (5)
Most take-ons (4) pic.twitter.com/zJ8bcTdTnf— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 12, 2016
While there were some stars who took to Twitter to speak fondly about a win in their first game of Euro 2016.
Successfull start into the group stage against a difficult Ukraine team! ⚽️? #GERUKR #EURO2016 #FirstNeverFollows pic.twitter.com/zaTAE4SUZB
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) June 12, 2016
??? My first goal for Germany and then such an important one! ???? 3 points at the start! ✅ #GERUKR #EURO2016 #sm5 pic.twitter.com/UbpZdrpQ5C
— Shkodran Mustafi (@MustafiOfficial) June 12, 2016
Perfect start ???????? #euro2016 #diemannschaft pic.twitter.com/CMAgquyHsj
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) June 12, 2016
An important win for #DieMannschaft with a special ending! ??? #GERUKR #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/vQAzkrHMJP
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) June 12, 2016
Great start!! Amazing feeling to be on the pitch with this team!! Let’s keep going:)) #diemannschaft #jederfuerjeden pic.twitter.com/CTfGZrGRv4
— André Schürrle (@Andre_Schuerrle) June 12, 2016
