EM 2024 Germany: Chris Führich on vegan nutrition in the national team

Status: 21.06.2024 | Reading time: 4 minutes

DThe Swiss journalist caused laughter in the media room. “The press conference is now 23 minutes old. And the word Switzerland hasn’t even been mentioned yet,” said the reporter on Friday afternoon. Deniz Undav and Chris Führich sat on the podium in the EM headquarters in Herzogenaurach and smiled.

But don’t worry, they are both very interested in Switzerland as their last group opponent at this European Championship, the two national players emphasised. They are preparing intensively for their opponents. The two nations will meet in Frankfurt/Main on Sunday (6 p.m., ARD and MagentaTV).

The first part of the press conference was all about nutrition. On Thursday, the team was visited by central defender Antonio Rüdiger’s good friend, who announced his nomination for the European Championship squad in May: Arif Keles. A Rüdiger jersey hangs in his Berlin restaurant “Hisar Fresh Food”, and Keles served the national players kebabs in Herzogenaurach. “It was nice to eat one again. Instead of pasta every day,” said Undav. “Unfortunately, I only ate one. From today on, it’s starting again: pasta and vegetables every day.”

The VfB Stuttgart striker has a special ritual: before every game he drinks a Red Bull. He used to drink the version with sugar, but for the last two years he has been drinking the version without. The 27-year-old has now stopped having two chocolate bars that used to be his ritual. “That’s my ritual, I need it before the game. If you then perform well on the pitch, nobody says anything,” said Undav.

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Chris Führich did not eat a kebab with meat in the team quarters. Undav’s club colleague is the only player in national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s European Championship squad who eats a vegan diet. “I have now adjusted my diet a little to include eggs,” said the 26-year-old in response to a question from WELT. He continues to avoid meat. He has done so for five years.

Chris Führich: Participation in the European Championships as a dream come true

He got the idea from a former colleague, Milos Jojic, with whom he played for 1. FC Köln. According to Führich, the vegan diet helps him stay fit and healthy. He rarely has muscular problems. “I tested it back then. I felt good and continued on that path. Everyone has to test it for themselves,” said Führich on Friday.

He and Undav made their first appearance at the European Championships in the second group match against Hungary (2:0) last Wednesday evening – in Stuttgart of all places – and Nagelsmann substituted them in at the end of the match. “It’s a special experience. The substitutions have made our dreams come true,” said Führich, and Undav spoke of an “insane feeling” in relation to this summer of football and participation in the European Championships.

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Both are in demand and could leave VfB this summer after their extremely strong season. How much are they concerned about their future at the club? “I feel like I’ve expressed my wish 290 times. Now we’re concentrating on the European Championships, there’s still plenty of time until then,” said Undav, who is on loan from Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion until June 30. He speaks to his agent from time to time.

Führich said on the subject: “When the manager calls, it’s clear that you answer. But I’m fully focused on the European Championship.” His contract with VfB is valid until June 30, 2028. FC Bayern, among others, are said to be interested in him. Führich reportedly has an exit clause in his contract, meaning he could leave the club for 23.5 million euros.

Undav’s new coach is Fabian Hürzeler, who recently led FC St. Pauli into the Bundesliga. “Of course I’ve already been in contact with Fabian. I told him my vision. He told me what he thought of me,” said Undav. “It’s clear that things aren’t going to stay quiet on the market. I also told him that I don’t want to hear too much from outside, but rather want to concentrate on the European Championship.”

Führich reported that he is watching the European Championship games of the other nations and is closely monitoring who Germany could face in the round of 16. The opponent could be Denmark or England, among others – provided Germany finishes first in the group. “We are definitely paying attention. We look at it and analyse it. In the end, we have to look at ourselves. In the end, we have to perform on the pitch,” said Führich.

Undav then said quite openly: “Not me. Well, you look at the opponents, but … I also thought that we would play against Italy in the round of 16 – but I was wrong.”