Source: Reuters
WINSTON-SALEM – Germany defender Nico Schlotterbeck has warned that Curaçao should not be underestimated ahead of Sunday's FIFA World Cup Group E opener, while expressing confidence that the four-time world champions will begin their campaign with a victory.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday in North Carolina, Schlotterbeck said the German squad had already analyzed Curaçao and recognized the quality within the Caribbean nation's historic World Cup team.
"We had a team discussion yesterday on Curaçao and it is a good team with players who have been trained in the Netherlands," Schlotterbeck said, according to Reuters. "But we are the favourites and I am confident we will win the match."
The highly anticipated encounter will mark Curaçao's first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup, a remarkable achievement for an island of just over 150,000 inhabitants. Curaçao is the smallest nation in history to qualify for the World Cup, surpassing Iceland's previous record.
Germany enters the tournament under pressure to make a strong start after suffering shock group-stage eliminations at both the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar. As a result, the Germans are determined to avoid any surprises against Dick Advocaat's side.
Schlotterbeck acknowledged that Curaçao possesses a number of players who developed their careers within the Dutch football system, giving the Blue Wave a level of technical quality and tactical understanding that deserves respect.
The German defender also expressed confidence in his own team, describing the current squad as a strong blend of experienced veterans and players entering their prime.
"I see in the Germany team many players with a lot of quality, a lot of players at their peak and a few playing their last World Cup," Schlotterbeck said. "You have a mix that is really good. Everyone is just looking forward to it."
Germany will face Ivory Coast on June 20 and Ecuador later in the group stage, but players insist their focus remains entirely on Curaçao.
Despite expectations that temperatures in Houston could reach around 30 degrees Celsius during the match, German players said weather conditions and outside pressure are not concerns heading into the tournament.
"There is no pressure. We are going into this with confidence and on Sunday we want to show how good we are," Schlotterbeck said.
The defender also pointed to what he described as the return of traditional German strengths, including discipline, determination and resilience.
"We are a top, top, top team and we have been showing the German virtues on the pitch once again after a very long time," he said. "We have discipline, passion and ability to resist and if we show our German virtues then we are well placed."
For Curaçao, Sunday's match represents one of the biggest moments in the island's sporting history. While Germany enters as the clear favorite, Schlotterbeck's comments suggest the European powerhouse is taking Dick Advocaat's team seriously as the Blue Wave prepares to make its long-awaited World Cup debut on football's biggest stage.
Germany’s Jonathan Tah during the press conference IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Scott Kinser