With one week to go before the start of the 2024 European Championship, host nation Germany came from behind to beat Greece 2-1 in their final friendly ahead of the tournament.

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Germany 2-1 Greece
Goals: 0-1 Masouras (34’), 1-1 Havertz 56’ (assist: Sané), 2-1 Groß (89')

Greece may not have qualified for EURO 2024 but they began determined to show they should have done, and they put Julian Nagelsmann’s side under pressure early on at Borussia-Park. Manuel Neuer was forced to make a brilliant double save from Fortuna Düsseldorf’s Christos Tzolis in just the sixth minute to keep the game goalless, and it wasn’t until the 22nd minute that Germany mustered their first real effort, but Jamal Musiala’s attempt from the edge of the box was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. Greece edged in front just after the half-hour mark when Neuer could only parry another Tzolis shot into the path of Georgios Masouras, who tapped in the rebound. Jonathan Tah could have equalised just before the interval, but the Bayer Leverkusen defender headed wide from a Toni Kroos free-kick.

Nagelsmann introduced Leroy Sané and David Raum at the interval, and the former was involved in Germany’s equaliser early in the second half. The Bayern winger skipped forward down the right on a counter-attack and fed the ball into Kai Havertz, who executed a superb turn before levelling the score. Kroos’ set pieces were a source of danger throughout, and look set to be a valuable weapon for Germany at EURO 2024, with the towering Tah and Antonio Rüdiger imposing targets to aim at. Tah lashed a volley wide in the closing stages as Germany pushed for a winner, while Nico Schlotterbeck had an effort saved, Benjamin Henrichs hit the crossbar with a thundering drive from outside the box, and Niclas Füllkrug had a header thwarted by the goalkeeper. Their pressure eventually took its toll, with substitute Pascal Groß firing in a last-minute winner to give Germany a confidence-boosting result ahead of next week's big tournament opener against Scotland. 

Watch: The best of Germany's Bundesliga call-ups

Match stats

• Havertz scored his 16th international goal on his 46th outing for Germany.
• Groß's goal was his first at senior level for Germany.
• Füllkrug is Germany’s top scorer in the Nagelsmann era with four goals from six games (plus an assist). Havertz is next with three.
• Nagelsmann’s record in charge of the national team (all friendly matches) is four wins, two draws and two defeats.
• Germany have never lost against Greece, with seven wins and three draws. The most recent encounter prior to this game was a 4-2 win in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.
• No players from Greece appeared in the Bundesliga this past season, but Tzolis finished as joint-top scorer in the second division with 22 goals for Düsseldorf.

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Line-ups

Germany: Neuer - Kimmich (Henrichs 68'), Tah, Rüdiger (Schlotterbeck 69'), Mittelstädt (Raum 46') - Kroos, Andrich (Groß 68') - Musiala, Gündoğan (c) (Füllkrug 68'), Wirtz (Sané 46') - Havertz
Unused subs: Baumann, Beier, Führich, Koch, Müller, Pavlović, Ter Stegen, Undav
Out: - 
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Greece: Vlachodimos (Athanasiadis 78') - Rota, Mavropanos, Hatzidiakos, Giannoulis - Siopis, Mantalos (Kourbelis 78') - Bakasetas (Bouchalakis 68') - Masouras (Douvikas 68'), Ioannidis (Pavlidis 10'), Tzolis
Unused subs: Mandas, Tzolakis, Kotsiras, Koulierakis, Kyriakopoulos, Ntoi, Retsos, Saliakas, Limnios, Tsingaras
Out: 
Coach: Nikos Papadopoulos

As it happened!

2 - 1

(0 - 1)

Germany

FINAL

Greece

Friendly
International friendly International friendly Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach

Full-time: Germany 2-1 Greece

Germany come through a tough test in their final friendly before EURO 2024 to record an impressive comeback win, thanks to second-half strikes from Kai Havertz and Pascal Groß.

© Alex Grimm

Full-time

89'

Groß gives Germany late lead!

What a fantastic strike! The ball loops to the edge of the box from a cross and the former Hoffenheim and Karlsruhe youngster smashes it in superbly into the top corner to put Julian Nagelsmann's side into a deserved lead.

89'

Pascal Groß

GOAL!

2:1

85'

Füllkrug header saved

Germany keep on pushing, with Füllkrug connecting with a cross into the box but failing to get enough power on his header to trouble Athanasiadis.

83'

Henrichs hits crossbar!

What a hit! The ball falls to Henrichs just outside the box following a corner, and the Leipzig full-back takes it forward before pinging a powerful effort slap bang into the crossbar.

81'

Schlotterbeck smashes on goal

The Dortmund defender tests Athanasiadis's readiness from at least 20 metres out, and his drilled shot is saved only at the second attempt by the substitute goalkeeper.

79'

Change of Greek goalkeeper

Vlachodimos has been excellent tonight, but if there is one thing you can expect in international friendly matches it is substitutions, and the Greek goalkeeper is replaced by Athanasiadis for the final phases.

78'

Tah tries his luck

The ball bounces loose on the edge of the box as Germany push forward again, and Tah lashes over on the half-volley.

74'

Solid from Schlotterbeck

Greece create another very threatening break, which sees them going two on two. Schlotterbeck is one of the German defenders back and gets into exactly the right position to intercept a pass into the area.

73'

Germany finding gear

The host of substitutions hasn't taken away from the momentum Germany have been building since the equaliser. Musiala takes aim from well outside the box and curls an effort past the top corner.

68'

Substitution

Niclas Füllkrug

Robert Andrich

68'

Substitution

Benjamin Henrichs

Joshua Kimmich

68'

Substitution

Nico Schlotterbeck

Antonio Rüdiger

68'

Substitution

Pascal Groß

Ilkay Gündogan

68'

Four changes for Germany

Julian Nagelsmann rings the changes for the final 20-odd minutes.

64'

Tah and Neuer to the rescue

Some fine rearguard action from Germany as Jonathan Tah slides to intercept a ball into the box in spectacular fashion, before Neuer moves off his line quickly to block Tzolis.

63'

Excitement in the air

Getting on the scoresheet has visibly lifted Germany, while taking the wind out of Greece's sails. The hosts want to win this, and the crowd is right behind them!

Sweet 16 for Havertz

The former Bayer Leverkusen attacker has scored his 16th international goal in his 46th appearance for Germany.

© Alexander Hassenstein

56'

Havertz levels!

Germany are back on equal terms thanks to a potent quick attack that sees Havertz take a ball from Sané from the right with his back to goal in the box. He turns superbly and shoots in via a deflection off Siopis.

56'

Kai Havertz

GOAL!

1:1

53'

Pavlidis powers a shot wide

The substitute centre-forward gets a bit of space on the edge of the box and drives narrowly wide.

51'

Kroos for Tah again

The midfielder floats another free-kick towards the centre-back at the far post. It's turned behind for a corner before he can reach it - that leads to an Andrich effort fired over from just outside the box.

49'

End-to-end again

Little has changed in the flow of the play since the restart. Kimmich chips a ball into the area, then Greece launch a quick attack via a long ball that Neuer does well to head clear.

46'

Substitution

Leroy Sané

Florian Wirtz

46'

Substitution

David Raum

Maximilian Mittelstädt

46'

We're back in action

Germany start with two changes in their final 45 minutes of football before the big EURO 2024 kick-off against Scotland next Friday.

Kick-off!

Half-time: Germany 0-1 Greece

Germany have been caught cold by the determined visitors, who had the majority of chances before Georgios Masouras fired them in front. Julian Nagelsmann's side can gain encouragement from a solid Tah chance and disallowed Havertz goal shortly before the break.

© Alexander Hassenstein

Half-time

45'

+ 1

Another threatening Greek break

Pavlidis has a shot aimed for the bottom corner deflected behind before we enter two minutes of stoppage time.

43'

Havertz puts ball into net

Kai Havertz finishes a great sweeping passing move, but the goal is ruled out as he was standing a fraction offside before receiving the final pass from Musiala.

40'

Tah goes close!

Germany's best chance yet as Kroos clips a free-kick to the far post and the Bayer Leverkusen defender leaps to send a good header a fraction wide of the other post.

37'

Kroos cracks free-kick over

The Champions League winner steps up to take a free-kick 20 metres away from goal and dips his effort over the crossbar.

33'

Greece take the lead

The visitors are in front. Their high pressing wins them the ball just outside the Germany area, and Manuel Neuer can only spill a shot from Tzolis into the path of the onrushing Georgios Masouras, who taps Greece ahead.

33'

Georgios Masouras

GOAL!

0:1

29'

Wirtz gets behind the line

The Leverkusen attack star breaks free on the right and clips a cross in from the right that ends up going on target and having to be saved by Vlachodimos.

26'

Masouras misses target

Greece threaten on another quick attack, but Masouras sweeps over the bar from outside the box.

22'

Musiala marker

Germany's first shot comes from the Bayern playmaking genius, who sweeps his effort from just outside the box into the hands of Vlachodimos.

19'

Action at both ends

Masouras gets the ball on the left on a good break for Greece, and Tah intercepts his cross cleanly. Kimmich then clips a testing cross in at the other end of the field.

16'

Germany corner

The hosts have their second corner of the game, with Kroos curling it into the middle of the box but failing to find a team-mate on this occasion.

13'

Greeks bearing no gifts...

The visitors have started well, with an early change for them as Pavlidis replaces the injured Ioannidis in attack.

Shots

0

3

Expectant nation

The fan choreography before kick-off in Mönchengladbach says it all: "...we will be European champions!!!"

© Alexander Hassenstein

6'

Huge chance for Tzolis!

Greece slice their way through the German lines with some slick passing and Dusseldorf's Tzolis is denied twice by Manuel Neuer from close range - once with his leg before he reaches a hand out on the ground to stop him turning in the rebound.

4'

Lively start

Germany are seeking to launch long passing sequences, but Greece have been determined opponents in the opening minutes, having two early attacks - with Bakasetas having a shot blocked and a cross clipped over from the left.

1'

Off we go!

After the ball is delivered by a remote-controlled car, Germany kick off in their pink and purple kit.

Kick-off!

Nationals anthem played

The atmosphere is bubbling on a summery evening - kick-off is imminent!

Germany taking three goalkeepers to tournament

Julian Nagelsmann has indeed confirmed before kick-off that Germany will contest EURO 2024 with Manuel Neuer, Marc-André ter Stegen and Oliver Baumann as goalkeeping options, with Alexander Nübel not making the final squad.

Gladbach gearing up

A sell-out crowd is expected tonight, with Germany getting increasingly into pre-Euro euphoria.

© IMAGO/nordphoto GmbH / Denkinger

No Nübel on Germany bench

Alexander Nübel, on loan at Stuttgart from Bayern Munich, is not on the Germany substitutes' bench tonight. With 15 substitutes, in addition to the 11 starting, that could provide a clue to the final composition of the 26-man squad announced later this evening.

More on that Germany team

As expected, Julian Nagelsmann drafts Real Madrid Champions League-winning pair Antonio Rudiger and Toni Kroos (both pictured) into the starting line-up for what looks like a first-choice XI ahead of EURO 2024. Waldemar Anton and Pascal Gross make way to the substitutes' bench.

© IMAGO/UWE KRAFT

More on that Greece team

Greece interim coach Nikolaos Papadopoulos makes four changes to the side that started the agonising Euro 2024 play-off defeat against Georgia in March. Rota, Giannoulis, Siopis and Christos Tzolis (pictured), who scored a joint league-leading 22 goals in Bundesliga 2 last season for Fortuna Dusseldorf, all start.

© IMAGO/Jan Huebner/Scherbaum

Greece starting XI

Vlachodimos - Rota, Mavropanos, Hatzidiakos, Giannoulis - Siopis, Mantalos - Bakasetas - Masouras, Ioannidis, Tzolis

Germany starting XI

Neuer - Kimmich, Tah, Rüdiger, Mittelstädt - Kroos, Andrich - Musiala, Gündoğan (c), Wirtz - Havertz

Last preps in place

Today marks a big day for the German national team. They not only take on Greece in their final friendly before Euro 2024 gets underway on home soil but they will also name their final squad for the competition after that game. A lot to be decided today.

Who will be cut from the squad?

There are currently 27 players in Nagelsmann's squad, but that needs to be trimmed to 26 by Friday, meaning one player will miss out. And the coach already knows who it will be: "We've already made the decision but we don't want to officially announce it yet, or talk to the players, just so that we are prepared for the worst-case scenario of someone getting injured or something similar. We'll announce the decision after the game."

© Getty Images

Supersub Sané?

The Bayern Munich winger has been struggling with a persistent pelvic injury for the last few weeks and is unlikely to start the friendly against Greece. "He's an option for the game," said Nagelsmann. "He's completed two full training sessions this week, but we can't yet expect him to play the full 90 minutes in every game. He's almost back to 100 per cent." Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz and İlkay Gündoğan are therefore set to be Germany's preferred starters in attacking midfield at EURO 2024.

© Getty Images

Havertz to be the main man

One of the questions fans and pundits have been pondering is how Germany will line-up at EURO 2024, particularly up front, with Niclas Füllkrug, Kai Havertz, Thomas Müller and Deniz Undav the leading options . Nagelsmann gave an answer to that - albeit with a caveat: "The hierarchy is clear. When Kai performs, he's a little bit ahead. But he has to perform well. And Fülle will get his playing time."

© Getty Images

Nagelsmann gives insights

Head coach Julian Nagelsmann held a press conference on Thursday ahead of his side's final warm-up game against Greece. And while it is only a friendly, the tactician insisted his players would be going for the win: "The result is always valuable for self-confidence. We want to win. Greece are extremely difficult to predict because they've recently changed coaches. It's a shame because we can't prepare 100 percent and we're expecting a mixed bag."

© Imago Images

Germany team news

Following the arrival of the Champions League final participants, Julian Nagelsmann's full 27-man squad is together. However, it is unlikely that all four of Nico Schlotterbeck, Antonio Rüdiger, Toni Kroos and Niclas Füllkrug will start against Greece, while Leroy Sané continues to recover from the injury that kept him out of the end of the campaign. Nagelsmann fielded a strong side versus Ukraine, so it will be interesting to see whether he does the same here or instead decides to rotate and give some of the fringe players the chance to impress.

Trio of familiar faces

Greece will line up with three Germany-based players in their squad. Alongside Christos Tzolis, Hertha Berlin's Andreas Bouchalakis and St. Pauli's Manolis Saliakas will also travel to Gladbach for this encounter.

0:55

Watch: Schlotterbeck, Kroos and Rüdiger arrive

1:22

Watch: Neuer's best saves in 2023/24

One man who will be key to Germany's chances of lifting the title will be goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed he will be the No.1 at the tournament - here are just a few reasons why.

Silverware overdue

While Germany have been crowned as European champions on three occasions, the last of those came in 1996 (following on from 1972 and 1980). Indeed, since winning the 2014 World Cup, Germany have - by their own high standards - not had a great record at major tournaments. They reached the semi-finals at EURO 2016 and the last 16 at EURO 2020, but were eliminated at the group stage of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

3:34

Watch: Tzolis' 22 Bundesliga 2 goals in 2023/24

He's without doubt the one to watch in the Greece side, having enjoyed a sensational season on loan at Fortuna Düsseldorf in which he finished as the division's joint-top scorer with 22 goals. Check out all of them in the video above!

What goes around, comes around

Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, İlkay Gündoğan and Toni Kroos were all in the Germany squad when these teams last met, on 22 June 2012. Philipp Lahm, Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus were all on target in a 4-2 win in the EURO 2012 quarter-finals in Gdansk that day.

0:36

Watch: Kroos' best Bundesliga goals

Fresh from winning his sixth Champions League title, Kroos is aiming to bow out on a high with another trophy this summer. Indeed, the European Championship is the only one missing from the midfielder's incredible collection before he hangs up his boots for good. Enjoy some of his best strikes during his Bundesliga playing days.

Germany squad complete

Head coach Julian Nagelsmann now has the full quota of players at his disposal following the arrivals of Nico Schlotterbeck, Niclas Füllkrug, Antonio Rüdiger and Toni Kroos in the wake of their participation in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.

2:42

Watch: Borussia-Park, up close

Take an in-depth look around the venue for this game, the home of Borussia Mönchengladbach: Borussia-Park.

Welcome!

Follow all of the build-up and live action from Germany's friendly with Greece on Friday right here!