UEFA Euro 2024 Team Previews: Germany
UEFA Euro 2024 is just weeks away from kicking off in Germany. Over the next 17 days, we will be previewing each team that will be taking part in Europe’s biggest football tournament. Check out all of the team previews that have been done so far. Kicking it off is Germany.
It has been a rough few years for Germany. Back-to-back group stage exits at the World Cup as well as disappointment at Euro 2020 where they fell out in the Round of 16. The era of greatness has gone and with it means a young, hungry team will be looking to impress the host nation of Euro 2024. The last time Germany hosted a major football tournament on its own was for the 2006 World Cup. They did co-host Euro 2020 along with 10 other countries. “Die Mannschaft” had a rough 2023 winning just two of their nine friendlies, but beat France and the Netherlands to open up 2024. They currently sit 16th in the FIFA rankings.
Euro Appearances
Germany did not appear at any of the first three Euro tournaments. Since then, however, they have appeared in 13 straight with Euro 2024 being their 14th consecutive appearance. “Die Mannschaft” previously hosted the Euros in 1988 when they made it to the semifinals before falling to eventual champions Netherlands.
Best Finish at the Euros
Two teams hold the record of three Euro championships and Germany is one of those. Their first two titles came as West Germany before winning in 1996 as a unified Germany. In that final, they beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in golden goal extra time. Their other two Euro titles came in 1972 and 1980. In 1972, they beat the Soviet Union 3-0, and then in 1980, they beat Belgium 2-1.
Key players
Germany went into the 2022 World Cup with a new look squad following the end of a golden era of players who saw age finally catch up. One player that was not in Qatar but will be back for Germany is Toni Kroos. The Real Madrid midfielder had retired from international football following Euro 2020 but will be back before retiring from the sport at the end of Euro 2024. Kroos will be the engine that runs “Die Mannschaft” alongside him will be the captain and Barcelona midfielder, İlkay Gündoğan. While these two have won so much in their careers, all eyes look towards 21-year-old Jamal Musiala. Musiala played in just 24 Bundesliga matches this season for Bayern Munich but still managed to score 10 goals.
Elsewhere familiar names fill up the squad. Manuel Neuer will be playing in his fourth Euros at the ripe age of 38. Besides Neuer and Kroos, the only other player for Germany that has won a national title is Thomas Müller who was part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning side. Muller’s leadership will be a necessity in the German attack as it is a weak spot with Kai Havertz being the second forward option. The defensive unit is led by Joshua Kimmich and Antonio Rüdiger. More help will be in the form of Jonathan Tah, who played in 31 of 34 Bundesliga matches for the unbeaten champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Manager
A position that has changed plenty since the last Euros was the Germany manager. Joachim Löw stepped down following Euro 2020 in 2021 and three different managers have led “Die Mannschaft” since then. Since September 2023, Julian Nagelsmann has been the man in charge. The former Bayern Munich manager has only led Germany in six matches with his side having won half of those. As much as the pressure is on the players, there is plenty of pressure on Nagelsmann to get Germany going at Euro 2024.
Biggest Group Game – vs Scotland on June 14
The first match of any tournament is very important. That is even more so the case for a hosting German side that has all the pressure to fix their errors from the past two World Cups. This Scottish side is not a pushover by any means and will look to give the Germans a tough opening match. For “Die Mannschaft” to look to assert themselves as title contenders it is crucial that they come out firing from the get-go.
Prediction
Group A is not the strongest by any means with Scotland and Hungary. This is a good sign for Germany who have a deep run on their mind as the hosts. I see them winning their group which would set up a match with the runner-up in Group C which on paper should be Denmark or Serbia. Both of those seem straightforward. Unfortunately for the Germans, the quarterfinals could very well see them take on Spain who I think beats the hosts and sends the home team packing.
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