5 reasons Germany will win the Euros

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1) Home advantage

The Euros are always special, as the continent’s best outfits battle it out in search of Europe’s top prize. For Julian Nagelsmann and his players, though, playing in front of partisan crowds and a German public roaring them on will provide extra incentive.

This will be only the second time the tournament has been held in Germany, with the Netherlands of Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard reigning supreme by beating the Soviet Union 2-0 in the 1988 final, held in Munich. This summer, the hosts also kicked off the tournament in the Bavarian capital, albeit at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena rather than their former ground, the Olympiastadion.

Watch: The Euro 2024 host stadiums

>>> Discover the 10 host venues here!

History suggests that Germany supporters can expect their side to go deep into the competition. Portugal (2004), France (2016) and England (2021, playing all but one of their matches at Wembley) were all beaten finalists on home soil, while Spain (1964), Italy (1968) and France (1984), were all victorious in front of their own fans. Germany will be looking to add to that list, reigniting memories of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in the country when their unfancied side made it to the semi-finals on a wave of home support.

2) German football’s feelgood factor

After an enthralling 2023/24 club campaign, German football is in a fantastic place right now. The stand-out outfit were, of course, Bayer Leverkusen, who became the first team to end a Bundesliga season unbeaten, while they also won the DFB Cup and reached the UEFA Europa League final. Florian Wirtz, Robert Andrich and Jonathan Tah, all of whom are part of Nagelsmann’s Euro squad, were integral to their achievements.

No fewer than five members of the VfB Stuttgart team that finished runners-up and qualified for the UEFA Champions League are also included - just reward for their brilliant campaign. It was an outstanding term for German clubs in European competitions, with only Serie A amassing more coefficient points as the Bundesliga secured one of the two bonus spots for next term’s Champions League, while Borussia Dortmund reached the final of this season’s edition – Leverkusen were Europa League runners-up.

Although BVB ultimately succumbed to Real Madrid, Germany squad members Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger were triumphant. All in all, there is plenty of positivity around the Germany camp, which their excellent start has only enhanced.

Watch: Bayer Leverkusen celebrate clinching the double

3) Wusiala

What? Who? Well, it's a double act you're going to be very familiar with for the next decade or so. The hosts have two of Europe’s most exciting youngsters at their disposal in Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, and they are teaming up impressively (Wusiala, get it?)

The former has enjoyed his best campaign since turning professional, winning the Bundesliga title, as well as the Player of the Season award. He was also the only player to rack up at least 10 goals and 10 assists in the competition. He didn't take long to live up to his billing, hitting the ground running at Euro 2024 by opening the scoring just 10 minutes into the 5-1 defeat of Scotland.

Watch: The story of Florian Wirtz

Musiala, meanwhile, has long since been established amongst the elite. At the age of 21, he is already a four-time Bundesliga champion, even scoring the winning goal as Bayern clinched the Meisterschale in dramatic fashion on the final day of 2022/23. His three-goal start to Euro 2024, including a superb second goal in the 2-0 win against Denmark that put Germany into the last eight, has confirmed he belongs on the international stage. Not that there was ever any doubt...

Watch: Wusiala - Germany's future

4) Experience and successful core

Up-and-coming talent is all well and good, but it will not be enough on its own. Fortunately, Germany can call upon a plethora of experienced individuals who have been there and done it for both club and country.

There are three players who were part of the squad that lifted the 2014 World Cup. Manuel Neuer, Kroos – playing the final games of his career after recently announcing his retirement at the end of the tournament – and Thomas Müller have all featured over 100 times for their nation and will lead by example for those younger than them.

All three have lifted the Champions League, too – multiple times, in fact – but they are hardly on their own in that respect. Joshua Kimmich, Rüdiger, captain İlkay Gündoğan, Marc-André ter Stegen and Kai Havertz have also stood on the top step of European football’s podium, while there are no fewer than 63 league winners’ medals across the group. Wherever you look, there are those who know what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

5) History

Germany won their opening two matches at a Euro for the fifth time. On three of the previous four occasions they have done that - 1972, 1980 and 1996 - they have gone on to be crowned European champions. They only missed out in 2012 when they were beaten by a Mario Balotelli-inspired Italy in the semi-finals.

Now Germany are within just two more wins of making the final, with opponents Spain next up in what looks a scintillating quarter-final in Stuttgart. 

>>> See what kit Germany are wearing this summer