How Germany qualified for Euro 2012
It seemed all too smooth for the Germans who won all their 10 games with an average of 3.4 goals scored per game. In their first home qualifier, they trounced Azerbaijan 6-1 at the delight of the crowd. Klose, whose lone goal against Belgium made the difference on Matchday 1, clinched his second and third goals of the campaign.
Later, Germany hosted bitter Turkey in Berlin. In-form striker Miroslav Klose hit a brace and Mesut Ozil added a goal in between to round up Turkey’s 3-0 loss and silence the traveling fans. The German side made no error against Kazakhstan in the next two rounds of qualifiers as they beat them emphatically home and away.
Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez stole the show in Vienna against Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria. A late goal in each half gifted a 2-1 win to Germany. This match was arguably the Germans’ toughest challenge since till then.
The return fixture in September 2011 produced something different. Austria could not stand the fury of Joachim Lowe’s men. The final score saw them lose 6-2 to the DFB-Eleven. In another memorable victory, Euro 2008 runners-up Germany forced Turkey to a 3-1 defeat in Istanbul. Mario Gomez, Thomas Mueller and Bastian Schweinsteiger were all on target.
On October 11 last year, a straightforward win over Beligum at the Esprit Arena completed Germany’s perfect run in the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Who is Germany’s coach?
The 2006 FIFA World Cup offered Joachim Lowe a glorious opportunity of experience with the German national team at the highest level. The 52-year-old served as the assistant coach of ex-German star player-cum-manager Jurgen Klinsman between 2004 and 2006.
He finally took hold of the head coach position in July 2006 after Klinsmann declined a contract renewal offer. Joachim Lowe guided the DFB-Eleven to the final of 2008 European Championship where they narrowly lost to reigning champions Spain.
The former attacking midfielder is hoping to go one better in 2012.
Who are Germany’s key players?
Mesut Özil
Mesut Özil is arguably the world's best midfielder. He is a fighter on the field always trying to recover loose balls. He was integral in helping Real Madrid win the marathon race against Barcelona in this year's La Liga and featured in 52 matches in all competitions during the 2011/12 season. This tells you Özil has stamina and skill to boot. He has the ability to hold on to the ball, to beat a defender in all situations and to provide that killer pass or cross.
Since 2008, Özil averages over 20 assists per season. He will certainly be at the heart of most of Germany's attacks. Expect him to score a few goals too. Under the pressure from the media, the fans and fitness worries, team mate Bastian Schweinsteiger may suffer but Mesut Özil could be the one to rescue Germany's game in midfield.
Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer had a fantastic Champions League campaign. Penalty shoot-outs are a game of lottery and Bayern Munich's loss to Chelsea does not take anything away from the goalkeeper. Manuel Neuer is the man to fear in the "Group of Death". His safe pair of hands could deny some of the world's best players on any given day.
In the semi-finals of the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League, he saved a spot kick from Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo which also contributed to Bayern Munich's advancement to this years Champions League Final, where they lost to Chelsea by the slightest of margin; extra-time penalty shoot-out.
Germany are one of the favourites to win Euro 2012 but star strikers like Holland's Robin Van Persie, Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and even Denmark's Nicklas Bendtner will want to live up to expectations and will test Germany's resolve.
Manuel Neuer will be the man to defend his country's colours. Thankfully for German fans, Neuer will not come up against Didier Drogba at Euro 2012!
Germany’s Euro 2012 squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese, Ron-Robert Zieler
Defenders: Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Hoewedes, Mats Hummels, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Marcel Schmelzer
Midfielders: Lars Bender, Mario Götze, Ilkay Gundogan, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Thomas Müller, Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus, Andre Schürrle, Bastian Schweinsteiger
Forwards: Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski
Who are Germany’s Euro 2012 group opponents?
It is believed that to be the best you have to beat the best. In this case, the UEFA Euro 2012 competition will give Germany the perfect test to assess how good they are.
The DFB-Eleven find themselves in Group B with 2006 World Cup semi-finalists Portugal, the Oranje of Netherlands and potential giant killers Denmark. This is being touted as the group of death with all teams being ranked in the top 10 list of the FIFA World Ranking. This group will surely be the group to watch if you are a neutral fan.
Germany’s group matches schedule
June 9, 2012: Germany vs Portugal – Arena Lviv, Lviv
June 13, 2012: Netherlands vs Germany – Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv
June 17, 2012: Denmark vs Germany – Arena Lviv, Lviv
Visit the Germany page for more news and info on the Germany Euro 2012 campaign and broadcast schedule
FIFA / Coca-Cola World Ranking
Germany have dropped to 3rd behind Copa America titleholders Uruguay. The DFB Eleven however remain the second best team in Europe behind European champions Spain.
Euro 2012 Odds to win
Germany are 1 in 3 odds to win the European Championship, second behind the World Champions Spain. These odds will likely improve if they advance from their group.
If you would like to contribute as a volunteer to LiveSoccerTV's German coverage of the Euro 2012 feel free to send us a quick message.
