Germany’s preparations for their Nations League meeting with Greece were interrupted by a surprise visit from the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA), with five players asked to provide urine samples.
The unannounced testing took place on Friday evening at the Germany team’s base in Herzogenaurach, only hours before Sunday’s match in Thessaloniki. The checks were carried out as part of routine anti-doping controls involving national teams and individual players.
Germany will face Greece at PAOK Salonika’s Toumba Stadium, where a crowd of about 28,000 is expected. Around 1,400 Germany supporters are due to travel to Thessaloniki for the fixture.
The visit from NADA, reported by German newspaper Bild, came as the team completed its preparations for the match.
French referee Clement Turpin will take charge of the game. He has previously officiated several Germany fixtures, including their 5-0 victory over Hungary in Dusseldorf in September 2024.
Turpin was also involved in a controversial Champions League match in April 2023, when he refereed Bayern Munich’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the first leg of their quarter-final.
Thomas Tuchel, who was Bayern Munich manager at the time, criticised the referee after the game. Tuchel was sent off after receiving a second yellow card and mocked Turpin’s performance by saying he had given him “six out of six from the first minute”.
Germany have also made a change to their team before the meeting with Greece. Newcomer Felix Kaidel, 23, has replaced Serge Gnabry and will wear the number 20 shirt for the national side.
The appearance represents another step in Kaidel’s international career as he takes his place in the Germany squad for the match.
Germany’s kit for the fixture has also been confirmed. The team will wear their new black shirt against Greece, having first used it during the 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam.