Euro 2012 Group B: Germany
GROUP B
Germany Netherlands Denmark Portugal
[Team Jersey Images © Soccerphile]
Germany
Road to Poland & Ukraine
Following an impressive third-place finish at the 2010 World Cup, Joachim Low's side ran riot in Euro 2012 qualifying, winning all 10 of their fixtures and finishing with a goal difference of +27.
Despite fielding one of the most youth-oriented squads on the continent, it was old heads Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez who did most of the damage in qualifying, combining for an impressive total of 15 goals between them.
Fixtures
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Germany Kit 1
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Germany Kit 2
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Germany v Portugal 9 June; Lviv
Germany v Netherlands 13 June; Kharkiv
Germany v Denmark 17 June; Lviv
Analysis
On paper, die Mannschaft (the Team) deserve to go into Euro 2012 as red-hot favourites. Combining a squad mixed with experienced and youth, it's difficult to spot a weakness in Jögi Löw's outfit.
If he has one, it's a continuing reliance on an old guard of ageing goal scorers. Miroslav Klose has enjoyed a renaissance since joining Italian club Lazio, but the 33-year-old is beginning to suffer the physical effects of a long career at the top.
Mario Gomez is another hot-and-cold striker, while stalwart Lukas Podolski - still only 26 - is as unsettled as ever at club side 1.FC Köln and goes into the tournament in the midst of another long form slump.
It's the creative talent of youngsters Mesut Özil, Thomas Müller and the prodigiously gifted Mario Götze which leaves many critics expecting Germany to at least make the final, as Germany's never-ending production line of talented midfielders rolls on.
Key player: Mesut Özil
Klose may score the goals, but Real Madrid star Özil has become an increasingly vital member of the team and he's still only 23.
The creative midfielder stunned the world with some virtuoso performances in South Africa and he will truly be considered a world class superstar if he can fire Germany to victory at Euro 2012.
One to watch: Marco Reus
Testament to the strength of the German squad is the fact one of Europe's hottest young prospects has hardly featured.
Reus recently signed for reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund from rivals Mönchengladbach, and he'll be looking to confirm his status as one of the rising stars of the European game - provided he can get on the pitch in the Ukraine.
Coach: Joachim Löw
Considered the tactical mastermind of Germany's successful 2006 World Cup campaign on home soil, Löw has been at the helm of the national side for over five years since taking over from Jürgen Klinsmann.
A runners-up medal at Euro 2008 and a third-place finish at the World Cup two years later impressed, but he needs to win Euro 2012 to establish himself as a European great.
Record
1960, 1964 Did not enter; 1968 Did not qualify; 1980, 1976, Runners-up; 1988 Semi-finals; 1984, Group stage as West Germany*
1992, 2008 Runners-up, 1972, 1996 Champions; 2000, 2004 Group stage
FIFA Ranking
How they qualified for Euro 2012
Finished top in Group A.
On the sidelines
Gerd Muller is Germany's highest goalscorer with 68. Miroslav Klose presently has 63 (Feb 2012).
Soccerphile says
Along with defending champions Spain, Germany go into Euro 2012 as an obvious favourite to win the tournament.
Four years ago they lost out to Spain in the final, but Jögi Löw's side have the firepower to go one better this time around, particularly with so many talented youngsters eager to make their mark in the international arena.
The Squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Tim Wiese (SV Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)
Defenders: Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Howedes (FC Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal)
Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Real Madrid), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Marco Reus (VfL Borussia Monchengladbach), Andre Schurrle (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Mario Gotze (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund)
Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (FC Koln)