German machine is in good working order

Manager Joachim Low

Only one European nation qualified in perfect style and that was the reigning world champions. Germany scored 43 goals and conceded just four times in ten victories.

It's almost a given that Germany will be competitive as they have reached half of the past 12 World Cup finals and another three semi-finals in that time, while they have also made at least the semi-finals in six of the last seven European Championships.

A mix-and-match squad minus several big-hitters won the Confederations Cup last summer and at the same time a weakened Under-21 side triumphed in their version of the European Championship, so the next generation looks as golden as the last.

The emergence of Timo Werner resolved their search for a natural striker and there is depth of talent in most positions to make Germany obvious contenders.

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