Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Barney Ronay

On a journey through Germany, the horror of the past lurks close to the surface

The Stuttgart Arena, previously known, among other things, as the Adolf-Hitler-Kampfbahn.
Germany played Hungary at the Stuttgart Arena, previously known, among other things, as the Adolf-Hitler-Kampfbahn. Photograph: Álex Caparrós/Uefa/Getty Images

A week into Germany’s mega-fussball-spielfest and Euro 2024 feels good. Following the games through Munich, Essen, Düsseldorf and Cologne has been a privilege and a joy.

The football has been gripping and at times agreeably chaotic, as though the players have themselves felt liberated outside the elite club game, a high-summer holiday from the latest touchline control freak in executive trainers.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.