On the day of the opening of the World Cup in Qatar, the tension and anticipation in the circle of the German national soccer team also increases.
"You can't wait for it to start.
We're all a bit more tense," said Bayern professional Serge Gnabry on Sunday in Al-Shamal.
The German players have to wait until Wednesday (2 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the World Cup, on ARD and on MagentaTV) before they start the World Cup against Japan in Doha.
Other group opponents are Spain and Costa Rica.
"We're extremely happy," said the in-form Gnabry, who is expected to be in the starting eleven from Hansi Flick.
"You can feel the tension.
Now it's getting into the hot phase," said defender Thilo Kehrer a few hours before the opening match between World Cup hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
In the largely secret training sessions, the intensity is now a tad higher, reported Gnabry.
In the fight for the starting eleven, it's "all in".
The DFB squad includes 26 players, but only eleven can start against Japan.
"The national coach decides," said Kehrer.
Kehrer "feels the trust" of Flick
The West Ham United professional, who can be used in all four positions in the back line, is considered the first option for the right side.
In the 15 international matches under Flick so far, the 25-year-old has played the longest with 1086 minutes, followed by Bayern professional Joshua Kimmich (951) and Timo Werner (941).
The RB Leipzig striker missed the World Cup with a foot injury.
Kehrer also told about his summer transfer to Premier League club West Ham on Sunday.
In the "best league in the world" "every game is a big challenge," he said.
"That's exactly what I was looking for".
Defending is "by nature my main strength," he said - no matter what position Flick uses him in.
"I can feel Hansi's trust," said Kehrer, "and I'll do anything to give that back."