Germany pen an emotional letter to their fans after Euro 2024 quarter-final exit by Spain - as tournament hosts express their 'hurt' at not delivering glory on home soil

Germany's footballers have penned an emotional letter to supporters after they were dumped out of Euro 2024 by Spain. 

The hosts were eliminated in a pulsating quarter-final showdown in Stuttgart with Mikel Merino breaking their hearts after guiding home a header in the 119th minute.

Julian Nagelsmann's side looked to have rescued their own tournament hopes through Florian Wirtz's equaliser in stoppage time, sending the tie to extra time.

But just minutes after Niclas Fullkrug saw an effort superbly saved by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, Merino met Dani Olmo's cross to spark wild scenes.

It brought an abrupt end to Germany's hopes of winning the tournament having been one of the favourites, and they have now addressed a letter to fans to voice their disappointment and thank the nation for their backing.

The letter said: 'Dear fans, we wanted to give you and ourselves the title at this European Championship on home soil. In Germany. For Germany. We didn't manage that. And that really hurts us.

'But something will remain from this tournament.

'What remains are your emotions. How you cheered us on, celebrated and carried us through the tournament to the quarter-finals. We missed your enthusiasm and your affection in recent years. Now we have earned it again and felt it in every moment.

'What remains are the images. Of you cheering on the streets, in the stadiums, in the fan zones, in the living rooms, in our jerseys, in white as well as in pink and purple. You were completely detached.

'And hopefully we'll remember how we played, fought and scored for you. Unfortunately, not often enough against Spain.

'You made this European Championship a home European Championship. Exactly as we wanted. Thank you for three fantastic weeks of tournaments. It was a pleasure.

'Your national team.'

Germany's Euros exit came after some impressive displays on the road to their quarter-final defeat by Spain. 

Nagelsman's side topped their group after beating Scotland and Hungary before a 1-1 draw with Switzerland. 

Germany then beat Denmark 2-0 in the last-16 thanks to goals by Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.

An emotional Nagelsmann later held his post-match press conference and insisted his side had not deserved to lose the game, while fighting back tears.

'It hurts because we won't be able to do better for another two years and I'll probably never experience a home tournament again in my career,' Nagelsmann said.

'We have created a great symbiosis with the people around the country. 

'If we had performed badly, it would have been deserved and then we wouldn't have to fight back tears. There was not one second where my players did not give everything.'