Stefan Kuntz was completely served after the bitter Olympic exit of the German footballers and talked himself into a rage. The DFB coach complained about the strict restrictions of the Japanese hosts, the referee and also left his future as head of the U21 selection open. “We were barracked, locked up and not allowed to go out on the streets. We were only allowed to open a balcony after a long back and forth. I have to say: I would have liked to have had more Olympic flair, ”complained Kuntz after the 1-1 draw against Ivory Coast on Wednesday, which meant that the DFB team had missed the quarter-finals as third in the group.

52 days after triumphing at the U21 European Championship, football Germany experienced a completely different Stefan Kuntz.

No exuberance, no euphoria, lips pressed together, inwardly agitated.

The Olympic mission had hit the coach hard.

“We got to know the people here very friendly.

Otherwise, from my point of view, there was nothing at all about the Olympic feeling, except during the two visits to the Olympic Village, ”said Kuntz, noting that this was his personal opinion.

"That has nothing to do with the fact that we are footballers or that footballers would have liked to have had a special position."

Pronounced time game

The Japanese hosts have set consistent rules at the Olympic Games because of the corona pandemic.

Spectators are not allowed with a few exceptions, there are many corona tests and few freedoms for everyone involved in the event.

Once in motion, the referee Leodan Gonzalez from Uruguay also got a broadside from Kuntz.

"In terms of football, it would also be good if you made sure that the game continued faster," said Kuntz.

Other spectators, who had nothing to do with the German team, must have fallen asleep.

"The time game was already pronounced."

With all the trouble - injuries and red cards were added during the tournament with a mini squad - Kuntz didn't want to go into his future as a U21 coach.

"If I could say something about my future immediately after the game, I would not have been there," emphasized the 58-year-old.

He worries when he's more rested.

His players would regret it anyway.

“If it was Stefan Kuntz's last game, it's bitter.

He formed us into one, ”said Jordan Torunarigha.

Proud of the players

Both coaches and players conjured up solidarity. But it shouldn't be enough - despite good opportunities. In the end, third place remained in Group D after Germany won silver at the Summer Games in Rio five years ago. "In retrospect, I am proud of the 18 players who have committed to the Olympics", Kuntz praised his protégés, who showed "mentality, attitude and courage".

The team was not to blame for a lack of passion, even against the Ivorians. An own goal by Benjamin Henrichs (67th) had put the DFB team behind in front of around 6000 spectators, but Eduard Löwen brought the European champions back into the game with a remarkable free kick (73rd). But the winning goal no longer wanted to fall. “The disappointment is huge. We were never really in the tournament. Of course we go home with a very crying eye, ”said Maximilian Arnold.

The game hardly tore the Japanese fans from the stands. The audience - unlike in the Tokyo area, up to 10,000 fans are allowed in Miyagi Prefecture - followed the organizers' instructions and refrained from chanting or shouting. After all, there was a friendly welcome for the European champion. “We love Germany” could be read on posters. Max Kruse spoke of a “great, but far too short experience” at the Olympics. For him, the trip to Japan had at least been a success, the marriage proposal to his girlfriend via TV after the Saudi Arabia game was accepted. It should remain one of the few success stories.