by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, June 24 (Xinhua) -- It might be one of the curious chapters in the life of Niclas Fullkrug when burglars paid an unpleasant visit to his family home.
The 31-year-old Dortmund striker reported in detail about discovering his house had been raided. "Believe it or not, but the first thing I did was to look for my national team football shirts," he said, followed by a long laugh.
"I didn't look for my wife's jewelry or anything else of value, I went straight for my shirts without saying a single word. My heart seemed to crunch until I found them, I was deeply concerned," he added.
Fullkrug found them unharmed and in full numbers.
The story might give proof of a man passionate about football and the national team he joined as a late bloomer in November 2022.
At that time, he had managed his breakthrough in the first tier after three seasons in the second division and made it into the 2022 FIFA World Cup squad at the age of 29. Two goals and one assist in three games somehow manifested his reputation as a perfect substitute.
Eighteen months later, the substituted spearhead turned into the 2024 UEFA Euro host's lifesaver as he scored the equalizer in the dying minutes against a brave Switzerland in the last group encounter.
His 13th goal in his 19th game in the German shirt might refuel the debate if the newly formed squad of the 2014 World Champion can afford to act without a traditional box striker when facing solidly defending opponents. Fullkrug's record speaks for itself; he is scoring every 58 minutes on average.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann's first choice, Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, stands for the playing type of striker, dropping back to midfield when necessary. On the contrary, Fullkrug is the traditional No. 9, harvesting near the goal in the manner of a crusher with a good heading.
The lucky escape against Switzerland took Germany to the group's win and the knockout stage but triggered doubts if Team Germany is steady enough to fulfill fans' dreams of winning the tournament on home soil.
As it seems, it might take Fullkrug to kick the can down the road.
The man, nicknamed "The Gap" due to a missing tooth in his upper front row, claims to be a perfect substitute as "I somehow got used to that." Only one of his 19 games was over 90 minutes.
The key is, he claims, "to always be ready and act in the preparation as if you would be in the starting eleven. And: When on the bench always be in the game with your head."
Fullkrug says he can be more than the second-row striker. "I have proved that at my club in Dortmund."
In the upcoming last-16-round encounter with the opponent to be decided this Tuesday, coach Nagelsmann might consider changing his team. He not only has to solve the striker issue but also replace his central defenders as Jonathan Tah faces a yellow card ban and Antonio Ruediger is suffering from an injury.
Substitute Fullkrug claims to be ready to start. ■
