The “age of banter”, as the internet says, didn't last that long in Germany!
Julian Nagelsmann brought the Germans to the front and center of the football world after successive periods of failure under Joachim Low in his last legs followed by Hansi Flick.
A statement was needed to mark that change and it came in their opening Euro game.
Bolstered by new emerging stars, they thrashed Scotland 5-1, adding their names to the list of cup favourites, a conversation they had been outsiders.
Portugal was a popular choice, France is always there, Spain has pedigree and England's individual talent is amazing.
However, with this win, Germany announced that they are very dangerous and may come back to claim their title of overseas kings as they have not lived up to expectations since winning the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Florian is blooming
Florian Wirtz entered the competition after an unforgettable season with Bayer Leverkusen. He was at the heart of the attacking unit that led Xabi Alonso's side to unbeaten Bundesliga glory.
The only question was how much of his performance was down to being the beneficiary of the exemplary tactical system that Alonso installed and how much to his mercurial talent.
If the first game of the tournament was any indication, it was the latter rather than the former.
He was the youngest scorer in the Euros playing for Germany and the way he fought with his teammates spoke about the player at his feet.
Nagelsmann has found a winning way to get his best players to play together and Jamal Musiala's performance alongside Wirtz bodes well for Germany's chances going forward.
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