Germany: Road to Euro 2012
If there is one team that can be expected to pose the toughest challenge to Spain's domination it is Germany. The Euro 2008 runners-up and 2010 World Cup semi-finalists were ousted from both tournaments by the eventual champions - Spain.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: May 22, 2012 06:11 PM IST
If there is one team that can be expected to pose the toughest challenge to Spain's domination it is Germany. The Euro 2008 runners-up and 2010 World Cup semi-finalists were ousted from both tournaments by the eventual champions - Spain. That will give the young German side an extra impetus to dethrone the defending champions.
However, to make that happen they first have to cross the opening hurdle of advancing from the 'group of death'. Pitted with the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark, getting to the second round will itself be a huge challenge.
Germany for long have been about a mix of talented youngsters - players who have now matured rather well and should fly high under the guidance of the very capable Joachim Loew and the leadership of the effective Phillip Lahm. In Mario Gomez they have a striker who is in tremendous form coupled with Miroslav Klose who has the knack of scoring in international games irrespective of his form with his club side. Klose, with eight goals, was the second highest goal scorer in the Euro 2012 qualifying. The midfield is also full of talents such as Mario Goetze, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski.
While some big names huffed and puffed to make it to the finals, Germany swept through their qualifiers. With 10 wins from as many games and a goal difference of 27 the Germans were ruthless in their Group A qualifying games. After starting off with a 1-0 win against Belgium, Germany routed Azerbaijan 6-1. 3-0 victories over Turkey and Kazakhstan followed. Kazakhs were once again at the receiving end as Germany romped to a 4-0 win. Germany then defeated Austria 2-1 and 6-2. Loew's team finished with 3-1 victories against Turkey and Belgium respectively.