Only without the passion. It’s a new, I dunno, twist or something.

Germany beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in a friendly on Wednesday but the average domestic TV ratings came in below “Cash for Rarities,” a show about selling antiques. The average audience of 5.42 million was the lowest for a prime-time men’s national team game this century.

That’s unsettling for a country which prides itself on its passionate fan culture. The joy from winning the World Cup in 2014 turned to despair during Germany’s group-stage exit in 2018. Now apathy reigns amid a mediocre Nations League campaign.

Horst Lichter schlägt das DFB-Team.