For Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Christoph Kramer, playing against Algeria in the last 16 of the World Cup was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. "I’m overjoyed to have those minutes under my belt", said the beaming 23-year-old midfielder after his first World Cup appearance for Germany. “It was a world-class experience for me and so exciting.”
National coach Joachim Löw brought on Kramer for Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 109th minute. The Gladbach player even had a great chance to finish off the tie in the closing minutes of extra-time but was denied by Algeria goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi.
"I lost my nerve in the final few metres"
"I lost my nerve in the final few metres – it was only a tame effort", Kramer admitted, acknowledging that he "really should have chipped the ball".
Asked whether he is now hopeful of replacing the stricken Schweinsteiger in Friday’s quarter-final against France in Rio de Janeiro (live on ARD from 18:00 CEST), Kramer answered lightheartedly: "If he still has cramp in four days’ time, then yes, I’ll start hoping."
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For Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Christoph Kramer, playing against Algeria in the last 16 of the World Cup was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. "I’m overjoyed to have those minutes under my belt", said the beaming 23-year-old midfielder after his first World Cup appearance for Germany. “It was a world-class experience for me and so exciting.”
National coach Joachim Löw brought on Kramer for Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 109th minute. The Gladbach player even had a great chance to finish off the tie in the closing minutes of extra-time but was denied by Algeria goalkeeper Rais Mbolhi.
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"I lost my nerve in the final few metres"
"I lost my nerve in the final few metres – it was only a tame effort", Kramer admitted, acknowledging that he "really should have chipped the ball".
Asked whether he is now hopeful of replacing the stricken Schweinsteiger in Friday’s quarter-final against France in Rio de Janeiro (live on ARD from 18:00 CEST), Kramer answered lightheartedly: "If he still has cramp in four days’ time, then yes, I’ll start hoping."
