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Germany became the first side to join the hosts in the finals of the Euro 2008 with three games to spare after winning their opening 9 games in the qualifying.
On their way, they also recorded the most empathic win in the history of the tournament, the 13-0 trashing of San Marino.
However, they suffered setbacks in the remaining games and lost top spot in the group to the Czech Republic in a head-to-head duel in Munich. A win over Cyprus and a goalless draw over Wales followed and Germany finished second in Group D, behind the Czechs.
Germany scored 35 goals (most of all teams) and allowed 7 in their 8 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat in the qualifying.
They were drawn in Group B for the Euro 2008 alongside co-hosts Austria, Croatia and Poland. Their campaign will start on June 8 against Poland in Klagenfurt, Austria.
The Team:
Coach Joachim Loew will lead Germany to his first tournament as head coach of the national team since taking over from Jurgen Klinsmann at the start of the qualifying.
Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), who has 53 caps, is still his best option for goalkeeper, but Loew also has Valencia's Timo Hildebrand and Robert Enke (Hannover 96).
Loew seems most comfortable with a 4-4-2 formation with Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen) and Philip Lahm (Bayern Munich) certain in the defence. Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid), who played for Germany in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, is nursing a foot injury, but Loew is counting on him for the tournament. Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin) is expected to play as right-back, with Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich) on the left.
In the midfield, Michael Ballack (Chelsea) is expected to have a crucial role, alongside Torsten Frings, who has returned to action after missing much of the season at Werder Bremen with a knee injury. Thomas Hitzlsperger (Stuttgart) is also front runner for the midfield as well as Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich). Tim Borowski (Bayern Munich), David Odonkor (Real Betis), Simon Rolfes (Leverkusen) and Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger) will also be given a chance. Bernd Schneider will not be part of the team after a poor season at Bayer Leverkusen.
Up-front Miroslav Klose ( Bayern Munich) is almost guaranteed a spot, while fellow Polish-born Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich), who was the group's top scorer with 8 goals in qualifying, will compete with 2007 German Player of the Year Mario Gómez (Stuttgart), and Brazilian-born Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04). Podolski can also take a more withdrawn position on the left.
Coach's profile:
Joachim Loew took over after the departure of Jurgen Klinsmann, following the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and has recently extended his contract with the German soccer federation until 2010.
A former midfielder, Loew played for several Bundesliga teams, including Stuttgart, Freiburg and Eintracht Frankfurt before starting his career as a coach.
He led Stuttgart to one German Cup, as well as the final of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. A several spells in Austria and Turkey followed before he took the position as assistant coach of the German national team and ultimately as head coach of the national team.
Team record:
Germany has won the European Championships on three occasions: at the Euro ‘72 in Belgium, West Germany beat the Soviet Union 3-0 for the title. The second title came in 1980 when West Germany beat Belgium in Rome and their last title came as a unified country at the Euro ‘96 in England with a win over the Czech Republic, before the political reunification.
They finished second at the Euro ‘76 in Yugoslavia and Euro ‘92 in Sweden.
Germany has also won the World Cup on three occasions.
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