Teamwork makes the dream work

Germany’s stars again Euro 2024 viral sax man’s closing bid

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There’s one participant at Euro 2024 who followers from each crew are cheering for. And he isn’t even a soccer participant.

Andre Schnura, a German saxophonist, has change into one of many breakout stars of the event, delighting crowds in fan zones together with his pleasing renditions of well-liked tunes.

He shortly went viral as a result of, guess what, if there’s one factor soccer followers like doing greater than singing into their beers, it’s posting footage of it on the ‘Gram.

Now, similar to the eight groups remaining, he has one query that must be answered — can he make all of it the best way to the ultimate?

Schnura hasn’t attended video games within the precise stadiums thus far. He has arrange within the fan zone within the cities the place the event is being hosted, typically in shut proximity to the precise stadiums themselves.

He has additionally performed on the streets, attracting rave evaluations all the best way, a lot in order that Epic Sax Man, the Moldovan sax participant who famously carried out on the 2010 Eurovision track contest, now has a bona fide rival.

German media retailers have responded to fan help and petitioned for European soccer governing physique UEFA and Euro 2024 organizers to make him a part of the closing ceremony of the event, on the Olympiastadion in Berlin, to be held simply earlier than kickoff within the closing on July 14.

By no means say by no means. With UEFA and the German soccer federation having already posted movies of Schnura on their social media accounts, he’s no less than on their radar.

Even members of the Germany nationwide crew have change into followers of the sax specialist. Niclas Füllkrug, arguably the most well-liked member of the squad regardless of his function coming off the bench, instructed reporters that he had seen footage of Schnura and located his performances “very cool.”

Longtime nationwide crew star Thomas Mueller thanked Schnura for his help, and stated he was doing a “tremendous job.”

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It has been reported that, regardless of being primarily based 260 miles away, Schnura will likely be within the fan zone for Germany’s quarterfinal conflict with Spain in Stuttgart on Friday (midday ET on FOX).

Schnura is the sort of man you wish to root for. He feels somewhat uncomfortable with the sudden consideration, and it has actually been a whirlwind couple of weeks. Just a little shy when he isn’t enjoying on his elegant black sax, he has turned down interview requests, saying he “desires his music to talk for itself.”

Extremely-trained within the musical arts, he helps himself as a gigging musician, by educating music, and by making devices. Simply earlier than the Euros, nevertheless, he misplaced his most common supply of earnings, which, serendipitously, gave him the thought and the time to carry out for soccer followers.

With a social following that’s now approaching 1,000,000, he has introduced a seven-date performing tour for later this yr.

Schnura’s music is nice, however it’s the refined touches that make it good for this event. Speak about figuring out your viewers, Schnura strikes all the precise notes with the identical scientific capability as Germany celebrity Jamal Musiala, the joint prime scorer within the event.

However in the case of deciding what to put on, Schnura has opted for one thing extra basic and old fashioned. Retro jerseys are a serious factor at this occasion. Schnura’s is a duplicate of the one worn by legendary Germany striker Rudi Voeller from the crew’s 1990 World Cup victory. Voeller is now director of the nationwide crew program.

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With sun shades on and a cigarette tucked behind his ear, Schnura has a performer’s vibe, even with a German flag painted on his face like so many followers.

His selection of music additionally leans towards making him a fan favourite with the soccer crowd. 

“Freed From Want,” by Gala, has been liked by crowds on the Euros in 2016, when it was sung by Northern Eire supporters, with lyrics tailored, in honor of backup ahead Will Grigg — then adopted by each different crew.

“Samba De Janeiro by Belling isn’t distant from a stadium DJ’s deck. And there’s “Main Tom,” now the official tune of the Germany crew, 4 a long time after Peter Schilling first hit the charts with it.

[How a hit song from the 1980s became Germany’s soccer anthem]

All three are on Schnura’s playlist.

If Germany makes it to the semis, count on to see him in Munich subsequent Tuesday. Given that he’s from the Dortmund space, it would not be a stretch to seek out him there the next day, both.

As for Berlin, and the ultimate? Identical to it’s for all of the gamers, that is the aim — however we should wait and see.

Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports activities. Comply with him on Twitter @MRogersFOX and subscribe to the each day publication.



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