1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,000 You're listening to the Footglitch Podcast. Love football, learn English. 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 On today's episode of the Footglitch Podcast, I talk to a German fan, Martin Schmitz. 3 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:19,000 What are fan and media expectations for Euro 2024 in Germany? 4 00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:26,000 Who will star for Germany in this tournament? Will Scotland be an obstacle in the opening game? 5 00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:32,000 What are some good phrases and collocations to use when talking about expectations? 6 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:37,000 What are some good phrases and collocations to use when talking about expectations? 7 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:12,000 And as I said in the previous episode, Euro 2024 is here and it's hosted by Germany this time. 8 00:01:13,000 --> 00:01:21,000 It's in Germany and that is why I have decided to invite as the first guest of this podcast a German person. 9 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:24,000 Martin, hi Martin, how are you? 10 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:26,000 I'm fine, how are you? 11 00:01:26,000 --> 00:01:35,000 I'm okay, much better now that this fantastic tournament is here. I'm really buzzing, I'm excited, all that. 12 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:37,000 How about you? Are you looking forward to it? 13 00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:46,000 Yes, I'm looking forward to it. It will start tomorrow, tomorrow is Friday, the 14th of June. 14 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:59,000 Our team will play the first game in the tournament because the host country starts the tournament. 15 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:03,000 It's a tradition and you play against Scotland as well? 16 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:05,000 Scotland in Munich. 17 00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:13,000 In Munich, in the city of Munich. Just to tell our listeners, you are not from Munich, you are actually from Dortmund, right? 18 00:02:13,000 --> 00:02:27,000 Exactly, I'm from Dortmund and I'm also a supporter of my football team which is located in Dortmund, it's called Borussia Dortmund. 19 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:39,000 I think we all know the team because you got to the Champions League final, unfortunately you lost to Real Madrid but you played really well in that game. 20 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:49,000 But Martin, we are not going to talk about club football today because of course we are covering the Euros here and we need to talk about the German team. 21 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:58,000 So first of all Martin, you didn't have to qualify as the host nation, there was no qualification group for you which means it was easier. 22 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:06,000 But do you feel like you are ready, your team is ready to show what you've got? 23 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:09,000 I hope so, I hope so. 24 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:28,000 Some of the friendly matches before weren't good but I think it's important to show your performance when it's really important on the match days from the championship. 25 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:37,000 I'm keen and I'm looking forward to what happens. 26 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:44,000 The truth will lie on the pitch of course, we will see what happens. 27 00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:52,000 I think there are 24 teams and anything could happen, that's why we love the beautiful game, football. 28 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:58,000 So obviously your national team coach is Julian Nagelsmann. 29 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:15,000 He started last year, he took over the team and got the team manager last year and we will see what happens. 30 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:28,000 I want to ask you about expectations, first of all your expectations, then your country's expectations, I want to know the media's expectations, I want to know everything Martin. 31 00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:31,000 So where do we start? 32 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:45,000 My expectation, I hope we will come at least to the half final but I hope we win the European championship. 33 00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:51,000 But to be honest the other teams are also in good conditions. 34 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:55,000 So did you mean quarter final or semi-final? 35 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:58,000 Semi-final would be fine. 36 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:04,000 Semi-final you think it would be considered success in Germany. 37 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:11,000 So that's your personal expectation, but what about the media and the fans? 38 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:34,000 The fans are for the European championship and the media, sometimes you see some experts speaking which teams are up for the cup. 39 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:48,000 And there are some great teams there and you hear names like France, Italy and Germany also. 40 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:58,000 But there are a lot of teams who could win it basically, so there's going to be quite fierce competition and I understand what you mean. 41 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:05,000 So expectations are high, I think there is more extra pressure on you because of the fact that you're the host nation. 42 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:14,000 And also let's be honest Martin, Germany, when you say Germany and football and Euro, you've always done well in the past. 43 00:06:15,000 --> 00:06:18,000 So you have a history of being really good in the tournament. 44 00:06:19,000 --> 00:06:26,000 I would say you have a nickname of a tournament team even, you are a tournament team, you do extremely well in the tournament. 45 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:36,000 So that's why in my opinion, but you have to tell me if it's true, in my opinion in Germany the expectations are always through the roof. 46 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:59,000 Yes, you're right, Germany is really a tournament team, but the last tournaments they failed and it's a long time ago when we had success. 47 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:12,000 It was in 2014, the World Championship in Brazil we won and therefore we are under pressure to deliver again. 48 00:07:13,000 --> 00:07:22,000 I think it's getting harder and harder because all these European teams, I feel like the quality is kind of evening out. 49 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:29,000 The gap between the good teams and the bad teams is much smaller than what it used to be. 50 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:43,000 So we have really quality teams, Serbia, Croatia, Denmark, pretty much every single country you name are capable of beating almost anyone I feel on their day. 51 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:52,000 So that's why it's going to be hard, but let's hope for your sake that your team lives up to your expectations. 52 00:07:53,000 --> 00:08:02,000 Obviously I'm supporting Czechia as you probably know, but for you on your behalf of course I wish you all the best Martin. 53 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:04,000 Thank you, thank you. 54 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:12,000 Okay, let's talk about this a little bit more then. So who is in your group? So you're in group A as the host nation, so you have Scotland, right? 55 00:08:13,000 --> 00:08:19,000 Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland. We are in group A. 56 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:25,000 Do you think this is a tough group or would you say that it's not too bad? 57 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:27,000 It's not too bad I would say. 58 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:31,000 Famous last words everyone, famous last words. 59 00:08:31,000 --> 00:08:36,000 What's your prediction for tomorrow then? 60 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:45,000 For tomorrow I don't bet, but for us I can say I bet 3-1 for Germany. 61 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:53,000 Okay, okay. Well we will see, we will see. I think sometimes it's a little bit harder to play the first match. 62 00:08:53,000 --> 00:09:05,000 Yes, that's right. The pressure is extreme and everybody is super excited about the tournament and sometimes you have these teething problems, right? 63 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:13,000 It's always hard to start something in sort of any activity of your life. So we will see. 64 00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:20,000 Well you said you support Dortmund, so do you have any Dortmund players in the team Martin? Are there any? 65 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:33,000 Yes, we have three players in the team. It's Niklas Vühlkrug, Nico Schlotterbeck and Emre Can. 66 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:39,000 Okay, and are any of these close to the starting line-up? 67 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:50,000 I think Emre Can not. He's midfielder but more in the back area of the midfield. 68 00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:59,000 But he could be a substitute in some situations if he's needed. 69 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:10,000 We will see. I don't know exactly if Nico Schlotterbeck in the defender position will play from the beginning. 70 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:21,000 Okay, are you happy with the nomination and are the media generally satisfied with who Nagelsmann has brought to the tournament? 71 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:34,000 The players are chosen by the performance of the year in the league. 72 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:47,000 Therefore, if you don't have a good performance as a football player, a long performance is not one game. 73 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:54,000 You have to take a look for the whole season. 74 00:10:55,000 --> 00:11:01,000 Because Leberkusen won the Bundesliga this year... 75 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:03,000 And the Cup. 76 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:14,000 Exactly. Therefore, some players from Leberkusen are in this team because they had a really good performance this year. 77 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:18,000 And... Like Andrić, right? Andrić and Wirtz. 78 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:25,000 Yes, he's called this year the top player of Germany. 79 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:29,000 He's a wonder kid. He's your German wonder kid. 80 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:35,000 He has really an excellent football brain, in my opinion. I really like it. 81 00:11:36,000 --> 00:11:42,000 When he's at his best, I thought he was going down with his performances towards the end of the season. 82 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,000 But I think it's understandable because he's so young. 83 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:49,000 But when he's at his best, oh my God, he's unstoppable. 84 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:55,000 The kind of passes he sees, it's amazing. He's a fantastic player. So skillful. 85 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:59,000 And what about the goalkeeper situation? So I heard some things about that. 86 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:05,000 So obviously Manuel Neuer, he has been the number one goalkeeper for as long as I can remember. 87 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:09,000 For a long, long time. But now he's getting on a bit. 88 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:12,000 Now he's about 30, 80 years old, right? 89 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,000 So is his position still strong or not anymore? 90 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:21,000 Yeah, it started. The discussion started last, I think it was last year. 91 00:12:22,000 --> 00:12:26,000 He was injured for a long time. But he came back. 92 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:34,000 And I don't know exactly because Nagelsmann was also a manager of Bayern Munich. 93 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:43,000 And he knows Manuel Neuer really good. Perhaps it's not an objective choice. 94 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:54,000 I don't know exactly. But many people say perhaps it's not the best goalkeeper to choose. 95 00:12:55,000 --> 00:13:00,000 But it seems like Nagelsmann really trusts him. He will be your number one. 96 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:05,000 And as we know, he's this kind of keeper, he's like a sweeper, a sweeper keeper, right? 97 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:11,000 He can hold the ball and distribute passes. And he's really good with his feet. 98 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:16,000 He's a really good goalkeeper, I have to say. He's really good. 99 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:26,000 But in the last games before the European Championship, the friendly matches, he failed sometimes. 100 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:35,000 He made some mistakes and therefore he came into discussion, can I say? 101 00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,000 He came under criticism, we could say. 102 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:45,000 Yeah, okay. And who do you think will star in this tournament for Germany? 103 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,000 Who do you think will do really well? 104 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:58,000 I would say Wirt and I think Toni Kroos also. 105 00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:04,000 Toni Kroos is somebody who has finished his professional career for Real Madrid. 106 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:08,000 He played his last match and this is his last tournament. 107 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,000 He's hanging up his boots. 108 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:17,000 Yeah, exactly. But he's a really experienced player. 109 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:23,000 He actually retired before for the national team. 110 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:32,000 But he came back because Nagelsmann asked if he could come back and he decided to do it. 111 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,000 But he's a really good player. 112 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:42,000 Yeah, he's a personality as well. You need some leaders on the pitch too. 113 00:14:43,000 --> 00:14:48,000 I think that's a good choice and obviously your national team will benefit from it. 114 00:14:49,000 --> 00:14:57,000 Okay then, Martin, thank you very much for featuring on today's episode of the Footglitch podcast. 115 00:14:58,000 --> 00:15:03,000 I hope you enjoyed your appearance and thank you for telling us about the German team. 116 00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:13,000 Good luck to you. But when you meet the Czech team, I cannot say good luck to you. 117 00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,000 I absolutely understand. 118 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:22,000 I think you would do exactly the same if you had your own podcast. 119 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:27,000 Yeah, thank you for having me on your podcast. 120 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:33,000 You're very welcome, Martin. Take care. Bye bye. Bye bye. 121 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:44,000 Welcome back everybody. In this part of the show, I would like to do my job, so to speak. 122 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:48,000 As an English teacher, I should teach you some language. 123 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:53,000 And today I thought I could talk about expectations. 124 00:15:53,000 --> 00:16:00,000 For example, you can say high expectations, low expectations or zero expectations. 125 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:06,000 These are combinations of words which collocate with the word expectations. 126 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:11,000 So when you have high expectations, you expect a lot from the team. 127 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:20,000 So the German media, they really want the German team or think that the German team will do well. 128 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:23,000 They have the expectations. They have really high expectations. 129 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:29,000 On the other hand, let's say in Czechia, the expectations are lower. 130 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:34,000 Because we realize that we are not exactly one of the favorites. 131 00:16:35,000 --> 00:16:42,000 And if you have been losing for a long time, then your expectations are lowered. 132 00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:50,000 You have lowered expectations and then we could talk even about no expectations or zero expectations. 133 00:16:51,000 --> 00:17:00,000 And then we can say that if you perform as expected, we can say that you live up to the expectations. 134 00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:07,000 You can meet expectations. If you meet your expectations, again, you live up to them. 135 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:15,000 You do exactly as expected. And if you do better than that, we say you surpass expectations. 136 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:20,000 Or exceed as well. You can exceed or surpass expectations. 137 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:29,000 The opposite would be, we could say just we didn't live up to the expectations or we didn't meet the expectations. 138 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:36,000 Or there are other words like underperform or even you could say underwhelm. 139 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:44,000 To be underwhelming in the tournament or to disappoint. You can use this word as well. 140 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:51,000 And then there are three phrases like to have nothing to lose. 141 00:17:51,000 --> 00:18:01,000 If you have nothing to lose, you are in a situation where basically if you lose, it's not such a big problem. 142 00:18:02,000 --> 00:18:07,000 It's not such a big problem, but that means that the pressure is off and it will be easier for you to play. 143 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:13,000 So to have nothing to lose is quite a good position to be in. It's similar to the phrase a free hit. 144 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:17,000 Then there is a phrase the stakes are high. 145 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:24,000 If the stakes are high, the situation or outcome of the situation is very important. 146 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:29,000 So for the German team, the stakes are really high. 147 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:34,000 It really matters how they do in the tournament, how they perform. 148 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:45,000 It really matters because if they fail, the German manager, the German players will be under heavy criticism. 149 00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:48,000 So the stakes are really high for Germany. 150 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,000 And then another interesting phrase is against all odds. 151 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:58,000 That's usually used when you're talking about underdogs and you don't expect these teams to win. 152 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,000 You don't expect them to do well in the tournament. 153 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:10,000 And if they do, if they do do well, then we can say that they succeeded against all odds. 154 00:19:10,000 --> 00:19:16,000 They achieved success despite very unlikely circumstances. 155 00:19:17,000 --> 00:19:23,000 They also overcame some challenges and obstacles that seemed impossible for them to overcome. 156 00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:27,000 All right, guys, so I hope this language is useful for you. 157 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,000 I want to keep this up. It's part of the show. 158 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,000 And well, thank you for listening to the Footgrisch podcast. 159 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:43,000 As always, you can find this podcast wherever you listen to your podcast or Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the usual places. 160 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:48,000 Please don't forget to subscribe because, you know, it's a new podcast. 161 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:50,000 So every listener counts. 162 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:55,000 And yeah, thank you very much for listening again until next time. 163 00:19:55,000 --> 00:20:05,000 Bye.