PRETTY IN PINK 👚

EURO 24 - A WALK OF SHAME?

Germany is hosting the 2024 European Football Championship, which kicks off in Munich tonight. I am admittedly not a big football fan but have on occasion watched the European or the World Championships, even enjoying them. 

Germany has become a laughing stock in the world already but the German national team played a significant role in football for many years. 

The German jersey has been traditionally black and white in different variations. I was in absolute shock when I saw the new jerseys of the national German football team that they will start wearing at this European Championship. Personally, I find these new jerseys emasculating and unbelievably hideous. I do look forward to how the fans will react when the team walks on the field the first time - pretty in pink - on Wednesday when they play Hungary. 

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The German team will play two matches in the group stage of Euro 2024 in white jerseys and one in pink kit. This will be the last European Championship in the old kit supplier's jerseys; the change had caused some discussion.

The DFB informed Sport-Informationsdienst that the team will play in white kits against Scotland and Switzerland, while the pink away kit will be used against Hungary.

It will be the last European Championship with the previous kit supplier Adidas. After the 2026 World Cup, the DFB will switch to the American sporting goods manufacturer Nike.

DFB Managing Director Andreas Rettig once again defended the change on Tuesday (11 June 2024). "We contacted 13 companies and ultimately negotiated with three of them. It was impossible to refuse what Nike offered. A contract for eight years with a three-digit million contract," said Rettig at an event organised by the "Rheinische Post" in Düsseldorf. "There was pressure on the cauldron in terms of the economic situation," said Rettig.

It's not enough that the German national team is being emasculated - my suggestion would be to wear a tutu with the pink and purple jersey to complete the outfit - but there are now also voices saying that German fans should please do without the German flag.

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In this interview with the Green Youth, patriotism is equated with nationalism and a willingness to use violence, and the word "Nazi" is used once again in this context. I will refrain from translating the interview as a whole as it is mostly complete incompetent nonsense. 

Yet, essentially anyone who flies the flag is a violent right-wing extremist Nazi. I have said it before and I am happy to repeat myself. I condemn the flippant use of terms like right-wing radicalism and Nazi for all those who disagree with the woke narrative. In my eyes, it trivialises the suffering and misery of those who had to endure National Socialism in Nazi Germany. And when you ask people what these words they so easily throw around even mean you will, in most cases not get an answer. 

So, you are no longer allowed to be proud of your country and patriotism is something bad and shameful. Unfortunately, this is also evident in German politics. There is, of course, no more room for black, red, and gold on the cute "pretty in pink" jersey of the German national team. It's only a matter of time before national anthems are no longer allowed to be played before matches, and the players better not sing along and out themselves as patriots playing for their country and, of course, a lot of money. I am guessing, that is the only reason they are going along with this humiliation. I am rather surprised that the new jerseys are not yet rainbow-coloured. 

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I vividly remember the Football World Championship, also hosted by Germany, in 2006. It was the German summer fairytale! The weather was stunning and all over Germany there was public viewing and it was a gigantic party all over the country. Everyone was welcome and there were masses of German flags everywhere. You could hardly find a car, house, or bike that was not flying the German flag. No one would have made the assumption that the people showing and waving their national flag were anything but proud of their country and proud to be hosting the World Championship. It is a disgrace that this has now become risky and, in my eyes is a sad development as well as a declaration of bankruptcy for a whole nation.

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🎶My Song for you

Is by Mumford & Sons and Pharrell Williams with Good People…

For more good music, go to this Spotify playlist where you can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters!

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📚My Poem for you

Is by Walter D Wintle

Thinking

If you think you are beaten, you are
If you think you dare not, you don't,
If you like to win, but you think you can't
It is almost certain you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are
You've got to think high to rise,
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!

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👀Impression

A beautiful view from a roof garden in Munich on a wonderful evening with friends…

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What is your take on national flags and patriotism or the „pretty in pink“ jerseys?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, leave a ❤️ or send me a message. I always love hearing from you.

Wishing you a beautiful day wherever you are.

Yours

Tanja 🤗

Change & Evolve and feel free to get in touch