Euro 2024 team guide and best bets: Germany
Germany may not be as feared as they once were on the international stage but could home advantage prove crucial at Euro 2024?
We run the rule over the hosts' prospects this summer in our comprehensive team guide, featuring tactical analysis, players to watch out for, predicted line-ups, betting tips and more.
How Germany qualified for Euro 2024
As hosts, Germany were spared the hassle of a qualification campaign and are automatically placed in Group A.
Die Mannschaft crashed out of the 2022 World Cup at the group stage and the turbulent times continued into 2023, with four losses in five friendlies prompting the German FA to dispose of ex-Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick last September.
Fortunes did not immediately improve under his replacement Julian Nagelsmann either, though March victories over France and the Netherlands have offered some much-needed cause for optimism.
Germany's squad for Euro 2024
Germany named a 26-man squad ahead of the tournament:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern München), Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern München), Robin Koch (Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstädt (Stuttgart), David Raum (Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Leverkusen), Chris Führich (Stuttgart), İlkay Gündoğan (Barcelona), Pascal Gross (Brighton), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern München), Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern München), Leroy Sané (Bayern München), Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Füllkrug (Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Müller (Bayern München), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
Germany's predicted starting XI for Euro 2024
Germany's star player - Toni Kroos
It was no coincidence that those triumphs over France and the Netherlands were achieved with the talismanic Toni Kroos back in the German engine room.
The veteran midfielder had been off grid since announcing his international retirement in 2021, with his last appearance coming in a 2-0 loss to England at Wembley during the last European Championship.
Flick clearly never thought of trying to coax the five-time Champions League winner back but Nagelsmann was quick to pester the 35-year-old.
On his returning star, Nagelsmann said: “There is always this expression in Germany, “Querpass-Toni” [sideways pass Toni] — but anyone who says that knows nothing about football.
“I’m extremely happy that after many conversations I persuaded him to come back. I give him credit for that.
“He is very important, but also not our sole saviour. He knows what he can do. On the other hand, he also knows what he can’t do.
“He has a very good instinct, a good calmness. He can be a brilliant link between defence and attack.”
Kroos has stated his own belief that Germany can outperform expectations on home turf this summer and every minute he contributes will only bolster their chances.
Out of the top 10 passers in LaLiga this campaign, Kroos has the highest completion rate at a metronomic 91.8%.
Germany's One to watch - Florian Wirtz
After a cruciate ligament injury crushed his World Cup dream two years ago, Florian Wirtz now finally gets his chance to strut his stuff at a major tournament.
The 21-year-old has long been regarded as one of European football’s most exciting wonderkids and is already delivering on his potential as the crux of a record-breaking Bayer Leverkusen side.
Real Madrid and Manchester City are among the string of elite clubs monitoring the attacking midfielder, who has notched a jaw-dropping 18 goals and 19 assists across all competitions for Xabi Alonso’s side this term.
Ridiculously nimble in his movement, Wirtz has exceptional balance and close control which makes him a nightmare for defenders to dispossess.
When allowed room to dictate, he drives his team forward relentlessly and delivers through balls with a pinpoint accuracy reminiscent of the great Lionel Messi.
Just like the Argentine, Wirtz is diminutive in stature but still throws himself into physical battles, while he also has an uncanny ability to find space in a crowded area.
At the time of writing, it looks like he will join Ilkay Gundogan and Jamal Musiala in a devastatingly creative attacking midfield trio.
And with makeshift No9 Kai Havertz not exactly prolific, Wirtz may be shouldering the bulk of his side’s goalscoring threat — an expectation he will gladly embrace.
Germany's manager — Julian Nagelsmann
At just 36, Nagelsmann will be the youngest head coach at Euro 2024 but still boasts a club pedigree to rival any of his peers.
He landed a Bundesliga and DFB Pokal double in his first season in charge of Bayern Munich, before being unceremoniously axed midway through his second campaign in Bavaria in a decision many deemed harsh.
Nevertheless, the “Mini-Mourinho” managed to continue on his rapid upward trajectory by landing Germany’s top job — initially on a short-term deal which has since been extended through until summer 2026.
Regarded as one of the finest tacticians around, his early training sessions were said to unsettle some of the national team’s senior figures due to their complexity and intensity.
Yet two impressive victories against fellow European powerhouses earlier this year suggest the former RB Leipzig man’s methods are now starting to bed in.
Nagelsmann likes his teams to dominate possession and play with a brave high line, while he tailors his attacking philosophy to the strengths of his individual players’ strengths.
Given the media frenzy and intense scrutiny which comes with a home tournament, however, his biggest challenges this summer may lie off the pitch.
Germany's Euro 2024 betting odds
Germany to win Euro 2024 - 6/1
Germany to reach the Euro 2024 final - 11/4
Germany to win Group A - 1/2
Germany’s top team goalscorer - Niclas Fullkrug 7/2, Kai Havertz 9/2, Florian Wirtz 7/1, Deniz Undav 7/1, 8/1 BAR
*All best UK prices available as of 28/05/24
Analysis and best bets for Germany at Euro 2024
Expert anaylsis from Odds Now's Matthew Hill:
“Germany are arguably the trickiest of the leading contenders to assess. Julian Nagelsmann is yet to oversee a competitive game in charge of his nation but on the evidence of recent friendlies, things are improving quickly under his tutelage.
“Die Mannschaft lack the star quality of fellow market leaders England and France but they are able to call on home advantage, which looks more of a blessing than a curse.
“The last three European Championship finals to be hosted by a top-10 nation have had that team in the final (Portugal in 2004, France in 2016 and England in 2021), so Germany will be confident of following that trend.
“The speedy Jonathan Tah looks a great fit for Nagelsmann’s high line, while there is creativity in abundance sat ahead of the wily Toni Kroos and tireless Robert Andrich who will form a fearsome double pivot. No world-class No9 does put pressure on their attacking midfielders to produce, though.
“Should all three win their groups, England and France will end up on the opposite side of the draw to the hosts. Therefore, 11/4 about them reaching the showpiece looks a solid price.
“I also wouldn't put anyone off a nibble on Florian Wirtz for Player of the Tournament at a very fair 40/1.”
Matt's Best Bets:
Germany to reach the final - 11/4 (general)
Florian Wirtz Player of the Tournament - 40/1 (BetVictor)