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Operation reset: Lammy’s mission to reconnect gets off to flying start

New foreign secretary has wasted no time in visiting some of his European counterparts to strike a new tone

It felt like a deeply symbolic, even cathartic, moment on Saturday lunchtime as, on take-off from Stansted, the pilot carrying the new foreign secretary, David Lammy, banked the government plane with the union jack livery sharply leftwards across the sodden and half-occluded fields of Essex and towards Europe.

For the first of what are likely to be innumerable overseas trips, Lammy had chosen Destination Europe, and Operation Reset. It was intended quite literally to be a flying start as he hurtled from his first cabinet meeting down the M11 and on to a flight to Berlin, Stockholm and Bydgoszcz, close to the pastoral family home of the Polish foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski.

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© Photograph: Ben Dance/FCDO

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© Photograph: Ben Dance/FCDO

Euro 2024 power rankings: how the teams in the last eight shaped up

England were the biggest climbers before semi-finals which could disrupt Spain’s impressive rhythm

They had to come through one hell of a battle against Germany, losing Pedri to injury after eight minutes, but in the end the players stood there, arms aloft, having made the semis thanks to Mikel Merino’s late headed goal. Dani Olmo had said beforehand that the game felt like a final and afterwards it was difficult to comprehend that Spain were not even in the final yet. Against France, they will be without the suspended Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand, with Jesús Navas and Nacho Fernández likely to deputise. It could disrupt the selección’s rhythm but they should have the squad to cope with the difficulties. Olmo started on the bench against Germany but in the end was arguably Spain’s best player.

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© Composite: Guardian Picture Desk

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© Composite: Guardian Picture Desk

Cannabis legalisation hampered by most German of substances: red tape

Activists say the rollout of laws permitting recreational use of the drug has been hampered by a ‘bureaucratic monster’

Joints now mingle openly with pints among fans watching the European football championship in host nation Germany, which in the spring became the first big EU country to legally allow personal recreational use of cannabis.

That is, provided the fan is over 18, only carrying a small amount of the narcotic, not smoking in the stands of a stadium and not in possession of more than three plants at their officially registered home.

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© Photograph: Steffen Roth/The Observer

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© Photograph: Steffen Roth/The Observer

England and Germany fans clash in Düsseldorf after hosts’ Euro 2024 exit

  • Small groups of fans scuffle outside bar in German city
  • Germany were eliminated by Spain in quarter-finals

England and Germany fans were involved in clashes in Düsseldorf on Friday night, according to reports.

Video footage obtained by the Daily Mail shows a group of England fans outside a bar in the city, taunting nearby Germany supporters about their side’s exit and singing “Germans going home”.

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© Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Julian Nagelsmann calls for revision of handball rule after Germany defeat

  • Musiala shot hit Cucurella’s hand in 2-1 loss to Spain
  • ‘I told the players we didn’t deserve this’

Julian Nagelsmann insisted that he did not feel that Germany had been robbed despite not being awarded a late penalty that might have seen them go through against Spain, but he did say that the handball rule should be revised.

He also told his players that they had not deserved to be knocked out and called Germany’s togetherness at the tournament a lesson for society.

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© Photograph: Jürgen Fromme/firo sportphoto/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Jürgen Fromme/firo sportphoto/Getty Images

Spain show their steel to flatten Germany’s hopes in brutal spectacle

Everyone knew they were fluent and clinical but here Luis de la Fuente’s side showed they could win a physical battle

And so it came to pass that the final touch of Toni Kroos’s storied career was also the final kick of this two-hour kidney-punch of a tournament game. Moments earlier Anthony Taylor’s own last act of an impossibly difficult refereeing assault course had been to award the free-kick that Kroos would float one last time into the Spanish area.

The ball was grabbed by Unai Simón, in the process sealing Germany’s exit from their own tournament. Almost as an afterthought Taylor had also just sent off Dani Carvajal for a deserved second yellow. It was just that kind of game, an endless matrix of score-settling and applied aggression.

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© Photograph: Angelika Warmuth/Reuters

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© Photograph: Angelika Warmuth/Reuters

Mikel Merino breaks hosts’ hearts as Spain send Germany out of Euro 2024

Germany’s second summer fairy tale is over but Spain’s goes on, Stuttgart stunned at the last. With 65 seconds of extra time remaining, penalties looking inevitable and players pulling up all over the pitch, barely able to walk, Dani Olmo clipped in a glorious ball and there, deep in the penalty area, was Mikel Merino. A turn of the head, a twist of the neck and the selección were on their way to the semi-final, on the verge of finally defeating a tournament host at the tenth attempt.

On their way, which is not to say they were there just yet. Still they had to survive a scare – how could it be otherwise after an evening such as this, lived on the edge? – when Niclas Füllkrug headed past a post a minute into added time. And there was another one, four minutes beyond the 120, when with the very last kick of the game, the very last kick of Toni Kroos’s entire career, they faced one final delivery into their box. Manuel Neuer was up for that. So though was Unai Simón, clutching the ball and Spain’s place in the next round.

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© Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images

Spain v Germany: Euro 2024 quarter-final – live

With his squad untroubled by suspensions or injuries, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente is expected to field an unchanged side to the one that came from behind to beat Georgia last time out, although it would be no great shock to see Dani Olmo Mikel Merino come into midfield in place of Pedri.

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© Photograph: Christoph Schmidt/AP

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© Photograph: Christoph Schmidt/AP

Rüdiger’s treatment a damning representation of modern Germany | Jonathan Liew

Defender should be able to count on a nation behind him but far-right nationalism reflects society’s ingrained racism

Antonio Rüdiger was eight years old the first time he had to ask his father what the N-word meant, because the kids at school were using it. He remembers running over to an old white lady in his neighbourhood, offering to help carry her shopping bags, and seeing the look of pure terror in her eyes. He remembers growing up playing football on the concrete pitches of Berlin, and being told he didn’t belong there, to go back to Africa.

But these were the bad old days. The dark ages. A more benighted era of Germany society. And of course, Rüdiger is now a star of the German national team in a home European Championship, their best player in the 2-0 win over Denmark last Saturday and the key to Friday’s quarter-final against Spain. Times have changed. Attitudes, surely, have shifted.

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© Photograph: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/REX/Shutterstock

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© Photograph: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/REX/Shutterstock

Gündogan relishing Spain challenge after Germany lift nation’s mood

  • Hosts face Spain in quarter-final worthy of Euro 2024 final
  • Spain coach jokes of wanting to ‘tie down’ Toni Kroos

Ilkay Gündogan believes Germany can look forward to their quarter-final against Spain “with a smile” having already changed the mood in the country and fulfilled their objectives at Euro 2024.

The midfielder said that the challenge now is to seek perfection in order to apply the “ice on the topping” by continuing in the competition. To help them do so, their head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, revealed he had a plan to stop Spain dominating through Rodri, to deal with Lamine Yamal, who Gündogan insisted Germany did not plan to kick,and that the takers have already been named should the tie reach a penalty shootout.

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© Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images

Euro 2024 Daily: Spain v Germany is a heavyweight tussle for the ages

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France or England? This was the toss-up before the Euros for who would win the whole thing, and it’s still, just about, a valid question. Both are in the last eight; both still possess an array of the world’s best. Both have also done their bit for science, using this tournament to offer an alternative cure to sleep deprivation. Results over entertainment has been the mantra of the favourites, with the French overly reliant on Monsieur Own Goal, a Golden Boot contender, and the English refusing to adopt a truly left-wing agenda (electoral views completely unintended).

Montella has become one of us now. He hugs and kisses everyone. He hugged me tightly and said ‘We dedicate this victory to the Turkish nation and especially to you’.

I want to thank Cristiano Ronaldo for his sterling work in promoting Thornton Heath (postcode CR7), the pride of Croydon” – Martin Davies.

Regarding the Dutch team going on the Tin [yesterday’s Quote of the Day], they will only be following their TV pundits who regularly enjoy a tipple while on the air. Here’s Pierre van Hooijdonk, among others, getting stuck in” – Gerry Rickard.

I agree with Pete Smith (yesterday’s letters) – it’s time we give the England players and Gareth a break. Where did this expectation that we play nice football come from anyway? We aren’t West Ham fans all of a sudden are we? Besides, didn’t the Hammers win a European trophy playing not-very-nice football with a manager they were all sick of?” – Ben North.

Good to see Mark Matics win letter o’ the day yesterday, but someone should tell his brother, Matthew, that his number’s up. I’ll get my coat” – Martyn Shapter.

This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions.

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© Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Germany summons Turkish ambassador over ‘wolf’ goal celebration

Diplomat urged to explain gesture by Turkey footballer Merih Demiral and take measures to prevent a repeat

Turkey’s ambassador to Germany has been summoned to the foreign ministry in Berlin over the rightwing extremist “wolf salute” displayed by the Turkish footballer Merih Demiral, as his goal celebration at the European Championship became the subject of diplomatic exchange.

Ahmet Başar Şen was urged to explain the gesture and take measures to prevent its further use, a ministry spokesperson said, the day after Germany’s ambassador to Turkey was summoned to the foreign ministry in Ankara as Turkey’s government accused Berlin of “xenophobia” over its criticism of the symbol associated with the Grey Wolves group.

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© Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA

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© Photograph: Hannibal Hanschke/EPA

Spain stand out in tournament notable for tight games and great atmosphere | Philipp Lahm

Germany are finally showing what they are capable of while underdogs such as Georgia have put up fantastic resistance

Eight teams are left in Euro 2024 but all 24 nations have contributed to the success of this tournament. They have done so to create the atmosphere in the country but also in sporting terms. Germany’s 5-1 win in the opening game against Scotland was the exception from the rule that most games have been tight with close scorelines.

I was sceptical when Uefa increased the number of teams but now I am pleased so many countries are represented. It is different for thea national team. The players compete for their home country and form a bond with the fans. The atmosphere in the stands has been joyful while some of the scenes on the pitch, with teams going out late, have been heart-breaking.

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© Photograph: Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters

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© Photograph: Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters

Euro 2024: previews and predictions for the quarter-finals

Tactics and team news for Spain v Germany, Portugal v France, England v Switzerland and Netherlands v Turkey

By Ben McAleer for WhoScored

An absolute blockbuster showdown to kick off the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. Spain were excellent in setting up a meeting with Germany as they put four past Georgia, though they perhaps should have scored more. La Roja managed 35 shots and 75% possession in the 4-1 win. Rodri returned from a one-game ban in that victory to score a fine equaliser after Spain went behind in the 18th minute.

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© Composite: REX/Shutterstock, Getty

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© Composite: REX/Shutterstock, Getty

From Greece to Argentina: how teams have won tournaments in last 20 years

The past two World Cups have been won with some flair but prior to that, defence and possession were key

As England prepare to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on Saturday, Gareth Southgate finds himself being inundated with advice from all quarters. But should he really throw caution to the wind and rip up his teamsheet while also playing a left footer at left-back? We look back at the previous 10 major international tournaments across the previous 20 years for a possible template for glory.

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© Photograph: Dušan Vranić/AP

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© Photograph: Dušan Vranić/AP

‘It needs to stay in the loop’: German reuse schemes turn shopping upside down

After success of bottle deposit schemes, some retailers are trying to widen culture of reuse – and start tackling Europe’s waste problem

René Heiden pulls two glass yoghurt jars off the shop shelf, and lists the nearby supermarkets in which they can be returned once empty.

His Berlin grocery shop avoids single-use packaging in favour of reusable containers, a waste reduction model that is having something of a revival in Germany. But it’s surprisingly hard to get right.

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© Photograph: Samariter Unverpackt

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© Photograph: Samariter Unverpackt

Euro 2024 power rankings: how the teams in the last 16 shaped up

The Dutch are the big movers after a return to form while France, England and Portugal have plenty to think about

A dominant 4-1 win against Georgia in the last 16 means Spain stay top of our rankings. They fell behind in the first half but the end result never felt in doubt. Luis de la Fuente’s side had 36 attempts to Georgia’s four; they attempted 823 passes and completed 94%. Or put it this way: Georgia were outplayed, yet they didn’t play badly. Spain were simply superb. Again. The starting XI seems settled now but there can be no complacency because the options from the bench are so strong. Against Georgia, De la Fuente put on, among others, Dani Olmo and Álex Grimaldo, with the former scoring. Now for Germany …

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© Composite: AFP, Shutterstock, Getty Images

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© Composite: AFP, Shutterstock, Getty Images

Germany’s first African-born MP to stand down after racist abuse

Karamba Diaby’s announcement he wants to spend time with family comes after bullet and arson attacks on his office

The first African-born MP to enter the German parliament has announced he will not be standing in next year’s federal election, weeks after he revealed the hate mail, including racist slurs and death threats, he and his staff had received.

Karamba Diaby, 62, who entered the Bundestag in 2013 in a moment hailed as historic by equality campaigners, said he wanted to spend more time with his family and to make room for younger politicians.

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© Photograph: Dpa Picture Alliance/Alamy

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© Photograph: Dpa Picture Alliance/Alamy

Spain hope to ‘retire’ him, but Toni Kroos is still calling the shots

Germany’s midfield linchpin will soon hang up his boots, but is confident of playing beyond the quarter-final

Toni Kroos sat down, smiled and made no apologies for arriving empty-handed. Should he not have brought farewell cakes with him? The curtain could fall any day now, after all. It was not hard to envisage that these, just two days out from Germany’s quarter-final tie against an exceptional Spain, could be his final public pronouncements as a professional footballer. “I’m not feeling nostalgic in the least,” Kroos deadpanned. “I don’t expect this will be my final match and I assume we’ll all be seeing each other again.”

The kuchen will have to wait and so, the host nation hopes, will the goodbyes. It was a shock when Kroos announced in May that, at 34 and seemingly with a few more years in the tank, he would retire this summer. He wanted to depart on a high and it gave his decision to have one last shot at international football, made three months previously, a fresh dimension. A European Championship medal has eluded him but there is a growing belief Kroos could ride into the sunset wearing one.

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© Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty Images

‘Dreamer’ Joselu ready for return to birthplace as Spain face Germany

Real Madrid forward was born in Stuttgart where Spain will play the Euro 2024 hosts on Friday for a semi-final place

It has been a long time, so long it doesn’t have the same name any more, but on Friday Elvira Mato returns to the Neckarstadion. In those days, a resident at No 57 Friedhofstrasse, in the city that was her home for 22 years, she would go to watch her local team, VfB Stuttgart. For a while, they had a young, emerging forward called Jürgen Klinsmann; now she is here to watch an older striker as Germany face Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-final. His name is Joselu, he is Elvira’s son, and he was born here in 1990. It has been a long journey back.

Joselu’s parents were among the 600,000 Spaniards who emigrated to Germany in the 1960s and 70s. His father drove a post van and Joselu briefly went to school in Stuttgart but soon moved to Silleda, Galicia, with his mum and older sister. There, Elvira ran Bar Triana and her son played football, leaving for Celta Vigo at 13, the first of 10 clubs across three countries that finally brought him here again, to where it all began.

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© Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images

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© Photograph: Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images

Two of the German military’s new spy satellites appear to have failed in orbit

The SARah-1 mission is seen on the launch pad in June 2022.

Enlarge / The SARah-1 mission is seen on the launch pad in June 2022. (credit: SpaceX)

On the day before Christmas last year, a Falcon 9 rocket launched from California and put two spy satellites into low-Earth orbit for the armed forces of Germany, which are collectively called the Bundeswehr.

Initially, the mission appeared successful. The German satellite manufacturer, OHB, declared that the two satellites were "safely in orbit." The addition of the two SARah satellites completed a next-generation constellation of three reconnaissance satellites, the company said.

However, six months later, the two satellites have yet to become operational. According to the German publication Der Spiegel, the antennas on the satellites cannot be unfolded. Engineers with OHB have tried to resolve the issue by resetting the flight software, performing maneuvers to vibrate or shake the antennas loose, and more to no avail.

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German parliament set to impose tougher fines on unruly politicians

Revised rules expected to be passed that will increase financial penalties after a rise in antisocial outbursts

Germany’s parliament is set to toughen up its fines for politicians who interrupt sessions with insults and rowdy behaviour, after a rise in what have been described as antisocial outbursts in the chamber.

Under the football match “yellow card, red card” principle, “provocative MPs and notorious recidivists” will in future receive “more effective punishments”, according to Bärbel Bas, the president of the Bundestag. She said particular attention would be paid to repeat offenders.

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© Photograph: Clemens Bilan/EPA

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© Photograph: Clemens Bilan/EPA

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