CIARÁN FAHEY

Sports Writer

Fahey is a Berlin-based reporter for The Associated Press, covering sports in Germany and beyond.

German soccer player Deniz Undav attends a press conference before the international match between France and Germany, at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday March 21, 2024. (Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)

Deniz Undav eyes Germany debut and shot at Euro 2024 squad

Deniz Undav’s goals for Stuttgart this season have earned the forward his first call-up for Germany for the upcoming friendlies against France and the Netherlands.

FILE - Germany's national player Lukas Podolski leaves the pitch with the World Cup trophy in his hand, wearing Adidas after winning the World Cup final soccer match in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014. The German Football Association DFB announced today, that Nike will replace Adidas as the new supplier of the national teams from 2027. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Nike deal ends German soccer’s long-standing relationship with Adidas

German soccer and Adidas are breaking up. The German soccer federation says American sportswear giant Nike will supply all of Germany’s national teams with its apparel and equipment from 2027 in a new deal to 2034.

Germany player Toni Kroos attends a team training session at DFB Campus in Frankfurt, Germany, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Germany plays France in Lyon on Saturday in a friendly match. (Arne Dedert/dpa via AP)

Yet to extend Real Madrid contract, Toni Kroos not thinking beyond Euro 2024 with Germany

Toni Kroos isn’t thinking beyond this summer’s European Championship. The 34-year-old Real Madrid star was coaxed out of international retirement to help Germany in its home tournament.

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf stands next to the campaign motto "Football time is the best time against racism" at the launch of the DFB's anti-racism campaign in Berlin, Germany, Monday March 18, 2024. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)

German soccer targets racism before hosting Euro 2024

The German soccer federation is targeting racism and discrimination among fans and amateur players with a new campaign ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

FILE - Freiburg's head coach Christian Streich applauds fans after the Europa League Group A soccer match between West Ham United and SC Freiburg at the London stadium in London, on Dec. 14, 2023. Freiburg coach Christian Streich has announced he will finally step down at the end of the season after more than 12 years in charge. It brings an end to a 29-year coaching association that started when he took over the under-19s in 1995. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Freiburg’s Christian Streich, Bundesliga’s longest-serving coach, decides not to continue

The Bundesliga’s longest-serving coach has decided to call it a day. Freiburg coach Christian Streich says he will step down at the end of the season after more than 12 years in charge of the German club.

Bayern's Harry Kane celebrates after he scored his side's second goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between SV Darmstadt 98 and Bayern Munich in Darmstadt, Germany, Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

Kane sets scoring records as Bayern routs Darmstadt 5-2 in Bundesliga

Harry Kane has never scored so many league goals. The England captain claimed his 31st Bundesliga goal to help Bayern Munich to a 5-2 win at last-place Darmstadt but later went off with an ankle injury.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann presents the DFB team's new official European Championship jersey ahead of the international friendly matches against France and The Netherlands, during a press conference in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, March 14, 2024. (Boris Roessler/dpa via AP)

Germany shakes up squad before Euro 2024 with 6 new faces, Kroos recall

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has shaken up the squad before the home European Championship by gathering six new players for warmups against France and the Netherlands.

Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso gestures during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Xabi Alonso won’t dare say it but Bayer Leverkusen is closing in on the Bundesliga title

Xabi Alonso doesn’t yet dare speak of winning the Bundesliga but his team is playing like a champion inexorably closing in on the German title.

Leverkusen's Nathan Tella, left, scores the opening goal past Wolfsburg's goalkeeper Koen Casteels during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Sunday, March 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Leverkusen takes another step toward first Bundesliga title. It has 10-point lead with 9 games to go

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen has taken another step toward the club’s first ever Bundesliga title with a 2-0 win over Wolfsburg.

Munich's Harry Kane, center, vies for the ball with Mainz's Andreas Hanche Olsen, right and goalkeeper Robin Zentner, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Mainz, at the Allianz Arena stadium, in Munich, Germany, Saturday, March 9, 2024. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)

Kane scores hat trick and sets up 2 goals as Bayern routs Mainz 8-1 in Bundesliga

Harry Kane scored a hat trick and set up two goals as Bayern Munich reduced Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga lead to seven points with an 8-1 rout of Mainz.

Munich coach Thomas Tuchel reacts after the the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at the Europa-Park Stadium in Freiburg Im Breisgau, Germany, Friday March 1, 2024. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Tuchel’s job on the line as wounded Bayern Munich hosts Lazio in Champions League

A whole season is on the line for Bayern Munich against Lazio in the Champions League on Tuesday. It will likely be Thomas Tuchel’s last game as Bayern coach unless his team can overturn a one-goal deficit after losing the first leg of the last-16 tie 1-0 in Rome on Feb. 14.

Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong, center, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Cologne, Germany, Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa via AP)

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen moves 10 points clear atop Bundesliga with 10 rounds to go

Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen has taken another step toward winning the Bundesliga title with a 2-0 derby win at 10-man Cologne.

Dortmund's Jadon Sancho, left, and Dortmund's Ian Maatsen celebrate after Maatsen scored his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Union Berlin and Borussia Dortmund in Berlin, Germany, March 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Dortmund beats Union Berlin in Bundesliga to ease pressure on coach, Stuttgart eyes Champions League

Germany forward Karim Adeyemi’s first Bundesliga goal of the season has helped Borussia Dortmund beat Union Berlin 2-0 and ease some of the pressure on coach Edin Terzić.

Munich's Harry Kane reacts during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Bayern Munich at the Europa-Park Stadium in Freiburg Im Breisgau, Germany, Friday March 1, 2024. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Bayern Munich drops points in 2,000th Bundesliga game with draw in Freiburg

Lucas Höler has scored late for Freiburg to frustrate Bayern Munich with a 2-2 draw in the Bavarian powerhouse’s 2,000th Bundesliga game.

Dortmund supporters wave flags before the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG Hoffenheim in Dortmund, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Borussia Dortmund opens New York office to boost presence in United States

Borussia Dortmund is boosting its presence in the United States by opening a branch office in New York.

New Chief Sports Officer of FC Bayern Munich Max Eberl take part in a press conference at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Tuesday Feb. 27. 2024. Eberl will become the new Chief Sports Officer at FC Bayern Munich, starting on March 1. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)

Bayern Munich presents Max Eberl as new board member for sport, ‘enough work for 2'

Bayern Munich chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen says there’s enough work for two sporting directors at the club after presenting Max Eberl.

FILE - Leipzig's director Max Eberl reacts prior the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig in Dortmund, Germany, on March 3, 2023. Stung by the prospect of its first season without a major trophy for 12 years, Bayern Munich looks set to appoint Max Eberl to oversee a major shakeup. The Bavarian powerhouse is expected to confirm Eberl as its new sporting director this week. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Wounded Bayern Munich appoints new sports director to oversee shakeup

Bayern Munich has appointed Max Eberl as its new sports director to oversee a major shakeup while it faces the prospect of a first season without a major trophy for 12 years.

Dortmund's Donyell Malen celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG Hoffenheim in Dortmund, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Whistles from home fans as Borussia Dortmund slumps to first loss of 2024

Emre Can headed over with the goal at his mercy in stoppage time as Borussia Dortmund slumped to its first defeat of 2024.

Dortmund supporters display banners before the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and TSG Hoffenheim in Dortmund, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Fans continue Bundesliga protests against outside investors. Frankfurt game briefly interrupted

If the German soccer league thought it had ended fans’ protests against outside investors it was proven wrong on Sunday.

Bayern's Harry Kane, right, celebrates with team mate Jamal Musiala after scoring his side's opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Feb. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Harry Kane to the rescue again as Bayern snaps 3-game losing streak

Harry Kane has scored twice for Bayern Munich to beat Leipzig 2-1 in the Bundesliga and snap its three-game losing streak across all competitions.

Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka celebrates after scoring the opening goal the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Leverkusen extends Bundesliga lead to 11 points and sets German 33-game unbeaten record

Granit Xhaka has scored his first goal for Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga leader has defeated Mainz 2-1 and set a German record of 33 games unbeaten across all competitions.

Bayern's Harry Kane reacts disappointed after missing a chance during the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Bochum and FC Bayern Munich in Bochum, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Bayern Munich’s 11-year era of domestic dominance nearing its end after new stumble

It feels like the beginning of the end of an era for Bayern Munich. The Bavarian powerhouse lost again Sunday, and its chances of securing a record-extending 12th consecutive Bundesliga title look slim as league leader Bayer Leverkusen pulled eight points clear with 12 rounds remaining.

A model airplane flies inside the stadium during the Bundesliga soccer match between SC Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt in Freiburg, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (Tom Weller/dpa via AP)

Model airplanes keep protests flying high in Bundesliga. Bayern slumps to 3rd straight loss

Bayern Munich has slumped to its third consecutive defeat as Bochum held on to defeat the 11-time defending champion 3-2 in the Bundesliga.

Tennis balls lie on the pitch after fans threw them to protest against the German Soccer Federation, during the German Bundesliga soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and 1. FC Union Berlin at the PreZero Arena in Sinsheim, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024. (Jan-Philipp Strobel/dpa via AP)

Tennis balls disrupt Bundesliga as Bayer Leverkusen moves 8 points clear at top

Tennis balls have been raining on the Bundesliga. None of Saturday’s games escaped fans’ wrath with the German soccer league for its controversial plan to sell a stake in the Bundesliga’s media rights income to an outside investor.

Ivory Coast supporters wait for their team to arrive at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, one day after they defeated Nigeria and won the 2024 African Cup of Nations. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Jubilant Ivory Coast fans take to streets to celebrate Africa Cup of Nations win

Thousands of jubilant Ivory Coast supporters have been taking to Abidjan’s city streets to celebrate the country’s Africa Cup of Nations victory.

Ivory Coast 's Max-Alain Gradel lifts the trophy after winning the African Cup of Nations final soccer match between Nigeria and Ivory Coast, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Party begins as Ivory Coast rallies to beat Nigeria 2-1 and win Africa Cup of Nations

Sébastien Haller has scored late for Ivory Coast to come from behind and win the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the final.

South Africa players celebrate winning the penalty shootout during the African Cup of Nations third place soccer match between South Africa and DR Congo, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Williams does it again with 2 saves in shootout for South Africa to finish 3rd at Africa Cup

South Africa captain Ronwen Williams has done it again with two penalty saves in the shootout to beat Congo 6-5 on penalties for the Bafana Bafana to finish third at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ivory Coast's Sebastien Haller, listens to questions during a media conference, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. Ivory Coast will play the African Cup of Nations soccer Final match against Nigeria on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Africa Cup title beckons for Ivory Coast’s Sébastien Haller after successful cancer treatment

Sébastien Haller could lead Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup of Nations title one year after returning from cancer treatment.

An Ivory Coast supporter reacts before the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Ivory Coast and DR Congo, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

Super Eagles out to stop Elephants’ charge as Nigeria meets Ivory Coast in Africa Cup final

Ivory Coast is on the verge of a scarcely believable third Africa Cup of Nations title. But the Elephants must first continue their remarkable run by beating old rival Nigeria in Sunday’s final.

South Africa's players are dejected after losing the penalty shootout during the African Cup of Nations semifinal soccer match between Nigeria and South Africa, at the Peace of Bouake stadium in Bouake Bouake, Ivory Coast, Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Africa Cup third-place playoff match is unnecessary for proud South Africa coach Hugo Broos

South Africa coach Hugo Broos feels there’s little point in having the third-place playoff match between two sides disappointed not to be in the Africa Cup of Nations final.