Overview

• After the 0:2 loss in Slovakia, Julian Nagelsmann said he will make limited personnel changes against Northern Ireland, confirmed Oliver Baumann as starter, and dismissed fears for his job.
• DFB sporting director Rudi Völler publicly backed the coach, urging a high-energy response in Cologne and reaffirming the goal of finishing first in the qualifying group.
• UEFA appointed Norwegian referee Espen Eskaas for Germany vs. Northern Ireland on Sunday in Cologne, where the DFB will honor Mats Hummels before kickoff and recognize Florian Wirtz afterward.
• Handball champions Füchse Berlin, days after removing coach Jaron Siewert and sporting director Stefan Kretzschmar under CEO Bob Hanning’s lead, lost 32:39 to SC Magdeburg as some fans booed Hanning; Siewert said his dismissal deeply hurt him.
• Germany’s basketball team reached the Euro quarterfinals with an 85:58 win over Portugal in Riga as head coach Álex Mumbrú returned from illness, setting up a last-eight tie against Slovenia or Italy.