After a dream start to the World Cup, national coach Julian Nagelsmann has given his team a very special reward. The national team flew back to their team quarters in Winston-Salem late Sunday evening—and on board were the players’ partners and family members.
The 7:1 party against Curaçao in Houston was followed by a private surprise at the DFB camp. According to BILD information, the national coach allowed several players’ wives and girlfriends to fly back with the team on the charter plane. The women were also allowed to spend the night at the team’s base camp, the “Graylyn Estate”.
German football is experiencing a real family reunion in North Carolina. Scorer Nico Schlotterbeck (26) was seen leaving the plane accompanied by his wife Sabrina and their child. His defensive colleague Jonathan Tah (30) had his partner Luisa with him on board. Superstar Florian Wirtz (23) and keeper Jonas Urbig (22) also got off the plane with their girlfriends Aaliyah (Wirtz) and Katharina (Urbig).
Double Nagelsmann Power
National coach Julian Nagelsmann had double reinforcement with him. His wife Lena, wearing a green DFB jersey and a painted-on Germany flag on her cheek, accompanied the coach. Also on board: Nagelsmann’s mother Burgi.
But the love and family presence had already been felt at the stadium. Already at the NRG Stadium in Houston, many players’ partners and families were seen in the stands: Florian Wirtz’s parents, Jamal Musiala’s mother, and the families of Woltemade, Stiller, Brown, and Beier were on site to cheer the team on.
Two Days’ Break as a Reward
The arrival of the partners is no coincidence—Nagelsmann consciously wants to give his team some free time. According to BILD, on Monday, only a light regeneration session is on the program. On Tuesday, the stars have a complete day off before preparation for the second group match against Côte d’Ivoire in Toronto begins in full force on Wednesday. Nagelsmann “is giving himself and his players some time for their loved ones now”.
Departure Delay due to Interviews
The return flight to Winston-Salem didn’t go entirely according to plan, though. The DFB plane from Houston to Winston-Salem took off with a 45-minute delay. After the 7:1 gala, the German national players were busy longer than expected with interviews and media appointments. Once the players landed back at their base, though, they could finally fully focus on their loved ones before training for the next World Cup match begins on Wednesday.
