Germany look ready to fulfil every possible pre-tournament cliché ahead of hosting Euro 2024 this summer.
As England fans prepare to gorge themselves on wild expectation of European dominance in the coming weeks, the hosts are doing what they always do, quietly building a team capable of actually winning a major tournament.
After some managerial upheaval in the last 12 months, Germany fired the bat signal for Julian Nagelsmann, and the former Bayern Munich boss has donned his best H&M finery to lead the hosts into battle.
A squad built on huge experience – with returning prodigal son Toni Kroos confirming his plan to retire from football after the tournament – alongside a sprinkling of Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga title titans, has a real chance, and they should storm through a group containing Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland.
MANAGER: Julian Nagelsmann
CAPTAIN: Ilkay Gundogan will sport the armband with Nagelsmann confirming his call despite the return of Manuel Neuer.
STAR PLAYER: Jamal Musiala’s twinkle toes add something very different to Germany’s attack but the wise old noggin of Kroos will be massive in the latter stages.
HOW THEY GOT THERE: Germany were waved through to the tournament as hosts – how nice of UEFA. However, they secured just two wins from nine friendlies in 2023.
HOW WILL THEY DO: Germany’s host status ensured they were popped into Group A and they will be confident of topping the group. Looking into the crystal ball, they will face the runners up from England’s Group C, and if they avoid the Three Lions at that stage the road is wide open to go all the way.
BEST BET: Germany have not failed to make it out of the Euro group stages since 2004. They’ve gone on to reach at least the semi-finals in three of the last four Euros and host status could nudge them on a little further. The market is backing England and France as favourites to win it and a Germany final appearance looks to be a solid shout.
GERMANY EURO 2024 FIXTURES & SCHEDULE
Group A
Friday, Jun 14: Germany v Scotland, 8pm (Allianz Arena, Munich)
Wednesday, Jun 19: Germany v Hungary 5pm (Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart)
Sunday, Jun 23: Switzerland v Germany 8pm (Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt)
GERMANY EURO 2024 SQUAD
- GOALKEEPERS: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Oliver Baumann
- DEFENDERS: Josh Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Jonathan Tah, David Raum, Benjamin Hendrichs, Nico Schlotterbeck, Robin Koch, Max Mittelstadt, Waldemar Anton.
- MIDFIELDERS: Toni Kroos, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Pascal Gross, Robert Andrich, Chris Fuhrich, Emre Can.
- FORWARDS: Thomas Muller, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug, Deniz Undav, Max Beier.
Read More on Euro 2024
- Score your latest football betting tips at Paddy Power News
- When does Euro 2024 start? Date and kick-off time for first game in Germany
- Euro 2024 fixtures, groups and schedule for this summer’s big tournament
- Euro 2024 Golden Boot odds: Who is the favourite to be the top scorer?
- Predicted England Euro 2024 squad and Paddy Power odds for 23-man group
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
