Germany 2012 Home Shirt - Özil #8 (L)

The white is clean, with no yellowing at the collar or underarms. The thin black, red and gold lines crossing the front are intact, the crest and three stars are sharp, and so are the three black shoulder stripes. I gave it 8.5/10 for a single point: a tiny hole on the back, with light marks around it (photo 6).

Unsure about the size? This L measures 56 x 78 cm: compare with the flat measurements below, or check my size guide.

Flat measurements

A true adidas L, comfortable in the chest and with a good length. Lay a shirt that fits you well flat, measure it the same way and compare.

Key facts about this piece

A pinhead-sized hole on the back of the shirt, with light marks around it (photo 6). It is discreet and can't be seen from a distance. The rest of the shirt, name and number included, is in very good condition.

✦ Lifetime authenticity guarantee

Piece checked by hand in my authentication workshop. If a piece bought from me ever turned out not to be authentic, I refund it in full. No expiry: only original pieces, never modern reissues.

• adidas label (photo 4): date 09/11, model code X20656 and batch APU002, in the adidas format of the time
• Deutscher Fußball-Bund crest with the eagle and the three stars of the 1954, 1974 and 1990 world titles (photo 3)
• Embroidered adidas logo on the chest and “Deutscher Fußball-Bund” script below the back collar (photos 1 and 3)
• ClimaCool construction: diagonal lines built into the fabric and ClimaCool marking on the lower front (photo 2)

Özil and Euro 2012

At Euro 2012, Joachim Löw's Germany arrived as favourites. Mesut Özil, then at Real Madrid, wore the 8 and ran the game for a young, attacking side.

Group stage: three wins out of three, against Portugal (1-0), the Netherlands (2-1) and Denmark (2-1).

22 June 2012: quarter-final in Gdańsk, Germany beat Greece 4-2.

28 June 2012: semi-final in Warsaw, Mario Balotelli scores twice for Italy. Özil pulls one back from the penalty spot in stoppage time, Germany lose 2-1.

This white home shirt with its diagonal tricolour lines is the one from that tournament, two years before the 2014 triumph.

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