Euro 2012 Preview - Germany

Like their Group A rivals Holland, Germany have their sights set on winning the European Championship in Kiev on the 1st of July. Unlike Holland, their reputation is that of constant over-achievers. That’s not to say that they don’t have a very handy squad, they now do, but Germany’s last few showings at major tournaments have left football supporters scratching their heads at how they have done so well with such a young, and sometimes ordinary squad.

Still, their 2012 offering is a squad full of young, bright talent, headed by the tactical nous of a young, bright manager. Their performance at the 2010 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals, looks set to be the catalyst for years of German success, revolving around the talented Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil. They bulldozed their Qualification campaign, winning all ten of their matches, and scoring no fewer than thirty four goals in the process.

Manager – Joachim Low

What’s not to like about Jachim Low? The 52-year-old has revitalised a German side left reeling from years of rigid team selection, and has blooded young stars such as Ozil and Sami Khedira, turning them into world class players in the process. His outfit encourages creativity and expression, which gets the best from his players, and fuses pace of play with a freedom absent from any other Euro 2012 nation, as England felt two years ago in South Africa.

Key Man – Mesut Ozil

Low’s swift, counter attacking style revolves around the creativity of Turkish-born play maker Mesut Ozil. His vision and drive on the ball, alongside Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger, allow forwards Lukas Podolski and Miraslav Klose a quality of service envied by strikers across the world. The Real Madrid star, who signed for the Spanish giants in the wake of his 2010 successes, has come on leaps and bounds, and is now recognised as a key member of Jose Mourinho’s Barcelona-slaying squad. Expect him to be at the forefront of Germany’s success, along with Bayern Munich forward Mario Gomez.

Fixtures – Portugal, 9th June (Lviv), Holland, 13th June (Kharkiv), Denmark, 17th June (Lviv)

FIFA World Ranking – 3rd (2nd at Euro 2012)

Odds - 3-1

Verdict – You can never rule a German side out of a major international tournament, and with their strongest squad in years, Joachim Low’s side will be confident of claiming their fourth European Championship title, especially if they can get the better of Holland in the group stage. Their attacking style does not come without a degree of risk, but with experience all across the back four, don’t bank on Germany conceding too many goals at Euro 2012. Semi-finalists at the very least, and very possible winners.