We were delighted when Lars Schepull got in touch before Christmas with an interesting question:
As you may know, Nike have over the past years on various occasions tried to become the kit supplier for the German FA. They were even invited to make a pitch in the DFB HQ some years ago. In the end, it was decided to stay with adidas (thereby following tradition instead of a few or not so few more Euros). I guess every traditionalist welcomed this decision.
Still, the question remains: What would the Germany home and away kits for the Euro 2020 (2021) have looked like, had they been designed by Nike in line with what they have done for their teams. Maybe a question for Fantasy Friday?
Obviously, as Lars says, the relationship between the DFB and adidas is one of the most enduring in world football, perhaps only eclipsed by that of adidas’s with Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, it’s fun to imagine the alternate universe.
The obvious example for the home is the Roma style, allowing for the German flag colours to be incorporated. While it’s occasionally speculated that flag representations are not allowed, we found this in the Fifa Equipment regulations.
Even if it’s not allowed – and the France change strip would indicate that it is, for instance – this is of course a fantasy kit.
There are 2014-ish vibes, though of course that had three shades of red – a decision made by adidas designer Jürgen Rank – we put Nations League patches on rather than Euro 2020 as that’s when the kits would have premiered.
We did consider going all 1991 and simply doing a green version for the change kit, which would have meant the shorts could be interchanged, but ultimately decided to stick with the classic green and white, using this year’s Liverpool home strip as the base. Plain perhaps, but still smart.
Hopefully Lars likes these. If you do too, or if you don’t, feedback is welcomed along with future FKF requests – comment below or tweet @museumofjerseys.
I love that green one (daft back of Nike collar notwithstanding)
Two cracking kits… even if the contrast between side and short panels (on both) jars a little… though a consistent third colour on the away, for example might be too much.
Great stuff, Denis, cheers! I especially like the away kit.
Good stuff Denis … also thought the Nike Manchester United 2009/10 “v” template might have worked well with Germany 🇩🇪 Team outfielders and keepers kits if it had used a tricolour look like you have with this home kit……
Also as Germans are generally better prepared for kit clashes the British teams (ok i am stereotyping there!) you won’t need to need to mix the away shorts with home kit anyways as the dfb would have a suitcase filled up with an rare 3rd kit……for emergency’s which would contain the opposite shorts and socks to the “home” kit eg white shorts with black trim which would be used more often with/as a all white mixed and matched kit with home shirt and socks.
And the 3rd socks would be black and probably get more use with goalies kits and finally the 3rd shirt would be red and black hoops with thin yellow trim in between for the rare occasions they play teams in green and white shirts or want to give the Brazilian team nightmares 🤣
Also completely different sport Denis but on a totally related matter I have been watching A lot off YouTube during lockdown and the world junior ice hockey championships and by far my favourite jersey in the tournament is the white (home?) Germany one which has a “funky “ tricolour design on the sleeves (both the white and the black change jersey) which i think is very reminiscent of the Adidas 1994 Germany World Cup poncho template design …… and as far as I can make out is made by …… Nike! ! Looks like the finish team and other teams in the tournament also had the same template design but by far the best looking one is the white/light Germany top in my opinion.
The home would work great as a goalkeeper kit, especially in yellow
For being Nike they are not bad, but as always in the real life their shirts are missing something…
I would be glad to see Nike with Germany if that means Barça would change to Adidas hehe
Great stuff as usual Dennis!