Havertz: 'Thrill of anticipation' to join German squad after CL drama

Germany forward Kai Havertz will hope that joining the national team for the World Cup on Tuesday will help him overcome his Champions League disappointment.

Havertz, who has 57 caps with 21 goals and is a regular Germany starter, told Sky TV he is feeling "a thrill of anticipation" to be with the team that started preparations on Wednesday.

"I’ve already watched a few of the lads’ videos on YouTube and can’t wait to join them,” he said.

Havertz misses Germany's penultimate tune-up match later Sunday against Finland but could feature in the final test on Saturday against the US team.

Germany start the World Cup on June 14 against debutants Curacao, with Ivory Coast and Ecuador the other group stage opponents.

Havertz was speaking after his club Arsenal lost the Champions League final 4-3 on penalties against title holders Paris Saint-Germain to miss out on Europe's biggest prize again.

For around an hour it had appeared that Havertz would go down in history as the player to have scored Champions League final winners for two different clubs.

He fired Arsenal into a sixth-minute lead, five years after scoring the lone goal to help Chelsea lift the trophy over Manchester City. But Ousmane Dembélé levelled from the spot in the 65th as PSG went on to triumph again.

Havertz is only the third player to score for different clubs in Champions League finals, the others being Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United and Real Madrid and Mario Mandzukic for Juventus and Bayern Munich.

"Of course it is a top feeling but it doesn't really help me now," Havertz said.

Having been substituted, Havertz played no role in the deciding shoot-out where Arsenal's fate was sealed when Gabriel blazed over the bar after Eberechi Eze had sent his attempt wide left.

"I always find it hard to watch from the sidelines instead of being out there myself. Still, I have nothing but respect for every single player who steps up to take the ball," he said.

"We accept that and will still be celebrating an outstanding season for us tomorrow [Sunday]."

Arsenal have a parade planned for later Sunday in north London to celebrate a first Premier League title in 22 years. It could have been more silverware but apart from Saturday's heartbreak they also lost the English League Cup final against City.

"We will try again next year," Havertz vowed.