The speed of Niclas Fullkrug’s thundering strike against Scotland has been revealed after Germany opened their Euro 2024 campaign with a 5-1 win.

The hosts wasted little time seizing the initiative at the Allianz Arena, with goals from Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala giving them a 2-0 lead after just 20 minutes.

Kai Havertz made it three from twelve yards on the brink of half-time after Ryan Porteous was sent off for a reckless challenge on Ilkay Gundogan.

With control of the game securely established after the interval Julian Nagelsmann opted to utilise his squad depth, bringing on Fullkrug and Leroy Sane just after the hour mark.

Just minutes into his first appearance at the European Championships the 31-year-old latched onto a loose ball inside the box and immediately fired off a rocket of a shot beyond Angus Gunn in the Scotland goal.

Technology included in the Adidas ‘Fussballliebe’ ball clocked the strike in at a whopping 110 kmph (68.3 mph).

After becoming the oldest outfield player in more than two decades to make his Germany debut on the eve of the World Cup in 2022, Fullkrug has quickly become a valuable asset for Die Mannschaft.

In 17 appearances for the national team Fullkrug has managed 12 goals, particularly impressive given he has only started six times.

Fullkrug also is the owner of one of the most fascinating Wikipedia articles in all of world football.

Previous entries have described his love of 1982 Survivor classic Eye of the Tiger, noted that he is nicknamed the German word for ‘gap’ for his front teeth, and that he once ended up hospitalised with a teammates tooth stuck in his head as a result of a training ground accident.