A mosquito infestation, a thunderstorm, the loss of a defensive starter and a host of VAR decisions - Germany have faced almost everything in the last few days (except a train delay)!
But, they overcame it all to reach their first quarterfinal of a major tournament in eight years.
The 2-0 win against Denmark in their Euro 2024 Round of 16 match was wild in the way only international knockout football can be. A furious start, a pair of disallowed goals and a thunderstorm that saw the game suspended for 25 minutes.
It was the kind of stirring performance that will only see more people believe Germany can win it all.
"We had some crazy fans here today and the stadium shook," Nico Schlotterbeck told ZDF afterwards. "We've released something in the country. We're playing with euphoria, we're playing with fun and that's when football is the most beautiful."
Maybe Julian Nagelsmann knew all along. The night before he said he was so comfortable with his team’s preparation he said would go to bed with his mind at ease.
Literally speaking, Germany midfielder Robert Andrich said the prospect of this knockout match gave him wings. By five minutes past nine o'clock local time on Saturday night, it was easy to see why the two had come into the match feeling that way.
Germany flew out of the starting blocks. Schlotterbeck, in for the suspended Jonathan........