TEAM
GERMANY
GROUP: A
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jamal Musiala
EXPECTED FINISH: Winner
Hosts Germany have lofty expectations heading into the 2024 European Championships. Those expectations grew when they were placed in Group A alongside Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland; a group the Germans should have no problems navigating.
They start their campaign in the curtain-raiser against Scotland, who are appearing in their second straight Euros. Games against Hungary and Switzerland, ranked 26th and 19th in the world rankings respectively, follow for Julian Nagelsmann’s men.
There is no reason the hosts can’t end the group stages with three wins from three but, with the Germans not topping the group at a major competition since 2016, it is often much easier said than done.
Germany’s Group A fixtures :
- Germany vs Scotland: 14th June (Munich Stadium)
- Germany vs Hungary: 19th June (Stuttgart Arena)
- Switzerland vs Germany: 23rd June (Frankfurt Stadium)
If Germany win their group, they will face the second place team from Group C – a section that consists of Slovenia, Serbia, Denmark and England. However, if the hosts were to stumble and finish the group as runners-up, they would face a much tougher test in the round of 16 against the second place team from the ‘Group of Death’ containing Italy, Spain, Croatia and Albania.
Standings
Key players
The hosts have already made headlines with their 26-man squad selection. Nagelsmann has made some notable omissions – Champions League finalists Julian Brandt and Mats Hummels both being left at home – but the Germans still have an unbelievably talented squad. The following are some of the standout names who made the cut:
Jamal Musiala
Caps (goals): 27 (2) Position: Midfielder Club: Bayern Munich
The future of German football looks bright and Jamal Musiala is at the heart of it. After breaking into the international side in 2021, the Bayern Munich midfielder has made 27 appearances for the national team, scoring two goals and assisting five.
He is entering the 2024 European Championships after an outstanding season domestically with the 32-time Bundesliga champions. In 24 appearances in Germany’s top flight, the 21-year-old has notched 10 goals and six assists, making him Munich’s second-most prolific attacker behind England captain Harry Kane.
Florian Wirtz
Caps (goals): 16 (1) Position: Midfielder Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Another exciting German talent, Bayer Leverkusen number 10 Florian Wirtz has been imperious since his return from a cruciate ligament tear in 2022 and garnered more than 20 goal contributions during Die Werkself’s maiden Bundesliga-winning campaign. He added another 15 in cup competitions as former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso led Leverkusen to a truly historic 2023-24 campaign.
Kai Havertz
Caps (goals): 44 (15) Position: Midfielder/Forward Club: Arsenal
Kai Havertz has been a player transformed since joining Arsenal. Displaying his versatility as either a midfielder or a lone forward, the German international has upwards of 20 goal contributions across all competitions for the Gunners while his goal return is the third-highest amongst the Arsenal squad behind Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
The midfielder’s impressive scoring form has translated internationally, with 15 goals in 44 appearances when representing Die Mannschaft. He has also proved adept at performing on the biggest stages, scoring at the previous European Championships and the 2022 World Cup, ending both tournaments as Germany’s top scorer.
Antonio Rudiger
Caps (goals): 68 (3) Position: Defender Club: Real Madrid
A combination of power and pace, Antonio Rudiger is the robust centre-back that Germany need to go far in 2024. While they have a wealth of talent at the position – Jonathan Tah, Nico Schlotterbeck and Waldemar Anton to name a few – it’s Rudiger who has the X-factor which could get the Germans over their recent international hump.
He has been an integral part of Los Blancos’ latest La Liga title win, missing only a handful of games the entire year and leading his team in percentage of dribblers tackled (78.9%) shots blocked (19) and clearances (81). Rudiger also helped Real Madrid to another fantastic Champions League campaign with particularly impressive outings against Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Previous performances in the Euros
Historically, Germany have fared well at the European Championships. They are three-time winners and have reached at least the semi-finals in nine of their 12 appearances. That said, they were knocked out in the early stages of their last two major tournaments.
Germany’s (West Germany between 1960-1988) previous performances in the Euros:
- 1960: Did not enter
- 1964: Did not enter
- 1968: Did not qualify
- 1972: Winner (beat Soviet Union 3-0 in final)
- 1976: Second place (lost on penalties to Czechoslovakia)
- 1980: Winner (beat Belgium 2-1 in final)
- 1984: Group stage (third in Group 2)
- 1988: Third place (lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in semi-finals)
- 1992: Second place (lost 2-0 to Denmark)
- 1996: Winners (beat Czech Republic 2-1 if final)
- 2000: Group stage (fourth in Group A)
- 2004: Group stage (third in Group D)
- 2008: Second place (lost 1-0 to Spain)
- 2012: Third place (lost 2-1 to Italy in semi-finals)
- 2016: Third place (lost 2-0 to France in semi-finals)
- 2020: Round of 16 (lost 2-0 to England)
Expectations
There is a certain aura around a host nation for big international tournaments. In 2004, hosts Portugal made it to the final and the same happened in 2016 when France were playing for the coveted prize of European champions. However, the hosts rarely go all the way with the last home triumph coming when France tasted victory in 1984.
Germany has a real chance to buck that trend. They may have to go through impressive outfits such as England and France to do it but, with the home crowd roaring them on, Die Mannschaft could go all the way and lift the trophy in Berlin on 14th July.
Check out our Germany betting odds for all our latest prices throughout the European Championships.
Odds and player information correct at time of publication but subject to change.
