Germany reacts to 'catastrophic' World Cup exit

Germany fans, politicians and media outlets have responded with shock and dismay after the national team suffered their first elimination in the first round of the FIFA World Cup for 80 years on Thursday morning (AEST).

Germany fans

An upset Germany fan reacts while watching at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Source: AAP

Top selling daily newspaper Bild splashed "OUT!" across its website after the defending champions' 2-0 defeat by South Korea, calling it a nightmare and adding, "We didn't deserve any better".

"The biggest disgrace in German World Cup history. The loss is the embarrassing end to a catastrophic group phase," Bild wrote on their website.
Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her disappointment at an event on artificial intelligence in Berlin.

When the robot Sophia said Germany's team remained one of the best in the world, Merkel said, "That's true, if you take a long view. But this evening we're all very sad."
In Berlin, the mood was eerily silent. Glum-faced fans in Germany jerseys moved slowly and quietly away from cafes and bars.

Tens of thousands of German supporters who had gathered to view the game at the Brandenburg Gate stood stunned after the South Korea loss, some moved to tears.
Germany
"It didn't go well from the start. The first game wasn't great, the second game wasn't great and we shouldn't even talk about today," one emotional fan said.

"We deserved to lose. Something definitely has to change now."

"The team just didn't even fight. It was a terrible game," said Janin Roethig with tears in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Germany coach Joachim Low said it was too soon to answer a question about his future.
"I'm terribly disappointed," Loew said. "I need a few hours to digest it."

Die Welt newspaper dismissed the team's performance as "disgraceful."

"Tame, lacking in ideas and passion - the team deservedly lost against South Korea," they said.

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2 min read
Published 28 June 2018 5:53am
Source: Reuters


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