National coach Julian Nagelsmann now also takes the decisive handball scene from the European Championship exit against Spain with humor. “I’m obviously doing better than Cucurella’s pants,” said Nagelsmann when looking back at the home tournament. The Spaniard Marc Cucurella, who clearly touched the ball with his hand in the penalty area in the quarter-finals, said of his thoughts at the moment: “What a shock. I peed my pants.”

Referee Graham Taylor did not award a penalty in the knockout game four months ago when the score was 1-1. Spain ended up winning 2-1. “I have to praise myself, I’m very amazed at how calm I remained in the situation, that’s very untypical for me,” said Nagelsmann about Jamal Musiala’s shot on Cucurella’s hand.

“I didn’t notice it that clearly in the game either”

According to consistent media reports, the European Football Union UEFA subsequently admitted the mistake in the game. “I didn’t notice it that clearly in the game either. In the end I don’t think much about it, I can’t influence it anymore anyway. I have often said something about this rule issue,” said Nagelsmann.

The national coach’s advice to his players: “In the end we can’t shoot at anyone’s hand anymore, but straight into the goal, then we’ll move forward.”