When Germany’s last-16 game with Denmark on Saturday was disrupted by a huge storm, many home fans shielded themselves from the heavy rain and hail under coloured boards they had earlier held up to form their national flag.
It may have been futile and they ultimately got drenched, but not even that could dampen their celebratory mood at full-time in Dortmund, as the Euro 2024 hosts sealed a 2-0 win to reach the quarter-finals.
The final whistle was greeted by a huge rendition of the 1983 song Major Tom, which has developed into the host nation’s unofficial anthem for this tournament, as the sense of belief among home fans that their side can go all the way grows with every game.
But fortune also plays a part in tournament football and Germany arguably had that in this win as two decisions left the Danish camp furious.
The first came in the second half when, with the score goalless, Joachim Andersen saw his strike ruled out after Thomas Delaney was ruled inches offside in the build-up according to the semi-automated offside technology.
Then, Andersen’s misery was compounded when Germany were awarded a penalty moments later after David Raum’s cross touched his outstretched arm.
It left Denmark’s coach Kasper Hjulmand fuming in the post-match news conference.
“It was decided by two VAR decisions,” he said. “16 seconds of a decisive moment.
“I rarely talk about these decisions but it was very decisive for this game. It is frustrating. It is frustrating for our team.”
