The most successful team in European Championship history will be attempting to regain their title in 2022, as Germany take part in their 11th Euros.

Germany have been a side in transition for the past five years, after a rare, trophy-less spell for Europe’s most decorated national side. Die Nationalelf boast an exciting core of young players who have comfortably established themselves in the senior side despite their tender years, and this summer could see everything finally click into place.

Here’s everything you need to know about Germany heading into Euro 2022.

---

Germany topped their qualifying group ahead of Ukraine, the Republic of Ireland, Greece and Montenegro, and booked their place at Euro 2022 in emphatic style. Die Nationalelf won eight from eight, conceded just once and scored 46 goals – an average of 5.75 goals per game.

---

Germany are the most successful team in the history of the European Championships, having won the competition on eight separate occasions – most recently in 2013. They were stunned by Denmark in the quarter-finals of Euro 2017, bringing an end to their run of six successive European titles.

Euro 1984: Did not qualify
Euro 1987: Did not qualify
Euro 1989: Champions
Euro: 1991: Champions
Euro 1993: Fourth place
Euro 1995: Champions
Euro 1997: Champions
Euro 2001: Champions
Euro 2005: Champions
Euro 2009: Champions
Euro 2013: Champions
Euro 2017: Quarter-finals

Germany have enjoyed substantial success on the world stage too – but not quite to the same, outrageous extent as they have in Europe. Die Nationalelf have won the World Cup twice, and were eliminated by Sweden at the quarter final stage in 2019.

1991 World Cup: Fourth place
1995 World Cup: Runners-up
1999 World Cup: Quarter-finals
2003 World Cup: Champions
2007 World Cup: Champions
2011 World Cup: Quarter-finals
2015 World Cup: Fourth place
2019 World Cup: Quarter-finals

---

Lea Schuller has enjoyed a frighteningly consistent last three seasons, hitting 48 goals in 64 Bundesliga appearances for SG Essen and Bayern Munich – she finished as the latter’s top scorer during the 2020/21 campaign as they wrestled the Bundesliga title from Wolfsburg’s clutches for the first time in four years.

The 24-year-old forward netted 11 times in just seven World Cup qualifying matches for Germany this term, and will be a fierce contender for the Golden Boot at Euro 2022.

Boasting ability well beyond her years, Lena Oberdorf is one of Germany’s most exciting youngsters, and could explode onto the international stage this summer. Energetic and intelligent, the 20-year-old midfielder will be vital for her side – particularly in the absence of Melanie Leupolz.

---

Germany are managed by Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who has been in the hot seat since 2019. Euro 2022 will be her second major tournament in charge, following Germany’s quarter-final finish at the 2019 World Cup.

Voss-Tecklenburg is no stranger to European Championship success, having won the competition on four occasions during her glittering, 21-year playing career. The 54-year-old – capped 125 times for Germany – is in her second international managerial job, following her six-year stint in charge of Switzerland.

---

Euro 2022 marks the first time this century that Germany have gone into a European Championship not as defending champions. You have to go all the way back to 1995 for the last time Germany were not the holders heading into a Euros – naturally, normal order was restored and they won the whole thing that year.

---

Germany vs Denmark

Date: Friday 8 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Stadium MK
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)

Germany vs Spain

Date: Tuesday 12 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)

Finland vs Germany

Date: Saturday 16 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Stadium MK
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)

Germany find themselves in the Euro 2022 group of death, and will likely be going toe to toe with Spain for the top spot. However, 2017’s beaten finalists Denmark are more than capable of springing a surprise – just as they did to Germany five years earlier.

Should they top the group, Germany will face the runner-up from Group A, which will likely be either hosts England or dark horses Norway. The winner of Group C would then be their likely semi-final opponent; presumably either reigning European champions the Netherlands or Olympic silver medalists Sweden.

Should Germany finish as group runners-up, it will be the Group A winners who await them in the quarter-finals – again, likely either England or Norway. Standing between themselves and a place in the final would most likely be winner of Group C. Again, this will presumably be either Sweden or the Netherlands.

---

Provisional 28-player squad to be cut to 23.

Goalkeepers: Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea), Merle Frohms (Eintracht Frankfurt), Almuth Schult (Wolfsburg), Martina Tufekovic (Hoffenheim).

Defenders: Sara Doorsoun (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jana Feldkamp (Hoffenheim), Giulia Gwinn (Bayern Munich), Marina Hegering (Bayern Munich), Kathrin Hendrich (Wolfsburg), Sophia Kleinherne (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximiliane Rall (Bayern Munich), Felicitas Rauch (Wolfsburg).

Midfielders: Sara Dabritz (Lyon), Linda Dallmann (Bayern Munich), Svenja Huth (Wolfsburg), Lena Lattwein (Wolfsburg), Sydney Lohmann (Bayern Munich), Lina Magull (Bayern Munich), Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg), Chantal Hagel (Hoffenheim), Sjoeke Nusken (Eintracht Frankfurt).

Forwards: Nicole Anyomi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jule Brand (Wolfsburg), Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich), Laura Freigang (Eintracht Frankfurt), Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg), Lea Schuller (Bayern Munich), Tabea Wassmuth (Wolfsburg).

---

Many of Germany’s youthful core already have major tournament experience from the 2019 World Cup, and if they can successfully navigate the group of death, this will stand them in good stead for the latter stages. Potentially a first experience of a silver European Championship medal this summer for Germany.

---