Tearful Nagelsmann tries to see the positives after painful loss

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann fought back tears as he said his side did not deserve to lose their Euro 2024 quarter-final to Spain.

The Spanish won 2-1 after extra time in Stuttgart thanks to Mikel Merino's late header. He admitted he had no idea what to do next as he had not planned for an exit.

"The lads have given everything over the last six weeks," he told ARD as he almost started crying.

"We came back well, we reacted well. We were not 100% at it in the first half.

"It seemed we came much closer to a winner than the Spanish. It hurts, we were the better team."

Nagelsmann went into the dressing room after the game completely unprepared for the devastation among his squad.

"Whether what I said was right, I don't know, but I tried," he said. "I don't know what the plan is because I hadn't expected to go out."

He was though proud that Germans had fallen in love with their team again at these home Euros after previous coaches presided over meek group stage exits at the last two World Cups.

"People have been watching football on their TVs in the way they haven't in recent years," he remarked.

"In six weeks no one in the squad gave me any bother. It was very relaxed. We would have loved to have another week together because it was so much fun.

"That is why it hurts so much, we had fun."

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was at the game, added: "Both sides fought really well. These Euros have been a big success. If we fight like that, you can go out with honour."

The big controversy was Spain's Marc Cucurella handling in the box at 1-1 but the referee decided his arm was in a natural position and therefore it was not award a penalty.

"I've tried for years to understand various referees' points of views," Nagelsmann said, acknowledging that under current rules it was not handball.

But he added: "When the ball's heading for the goal, he stops a goal. That is a fact."

Spain's Man-of-the-Match Dani Olmo said: "I'm knackered, totally knackered. But I'm also so proud of what a great team we have, we fought to the end. Now we'll celebrate, but calmly and calmly, because we have the next game on Tuesday."