German timing crucial

Germany are in Euro 2004 Group D with Holland, Latvia and The Czech Republic. Their manager Rudi Völler won the World Cup in 1990 and three of their Euro 2004 squad will be in the Premiership next season: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Christian Ziege (Spurs) and Dietmar Hamann (Liverpool)

The Facts

Germany are the most successful football country in Europe. They have been in seven World Cup finals, winning three, and won the European Championship in 1972, 1980 and 1996.

Germany has the second-largest population of Euro 2004 countries. Their population is around 82 million, eclipsed only by Russia (142 million)

Rudi Völler’s side were unbeaten in qualification for Euro 2004 where their opponents included Scotland

Only six of the German side beaten in the World Cup Final against Brazil in 2002 have survived for Euro 2004. They are: Oliver Kahn, Torsten Frings, Bernd Schneider, Dietmar Hamann, Jens Jeremies and Miroslav Klose

Germany’s last game against England was the famous 5-1 in Munich when all our five goals were scored by Liverpool players, Michael Owen (3), Steve Gerrard and Emile Heskey

Their warm-up matches for Euro 2004 have included an embarrassing 5-1 defeat in Romania and 2-0 loss at home to Hungary

The Opinion

Germany were written off before Euro 96 – and won it. Nobody gave them a prayer before the last World Cup, and they reached the final where they were beaten by Brazil.

So despite a miserable run of results leading up to Euro 2004, Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann is convinced it will be ‘alright on the night’ in Portugal.

"We have definitely got enough quality in the side," he argues. "When all of the players are fit I don’t think there are many teams we must fear.

"Our group looks tough but we aren’t scared of Holland or the Czech Republic. We haven’t been producing good results recently but we can still go all the way."

If any other nation had lost to Romania and Hungary in their preparations, you would write them off totally.

But it is different with Germany, who have incredibly reached 11 major World Cup or European finals (a record).

Hamann, who has more than 50 caps for his country, is upbeat.

"You need a few lucky breaks to win a tournament. If we get them anything can happen. We are not the favourites but we are in with a chance. Guys like Kahn, Jeremies, Ballack and Klose have proved themselves at the highest level."

The Colour

Tennis legend Boris Becker is a huge Bayern Munich fan and was asked to join the board by Franz Beckenbauer

Oliver Kahn was chosen as Player of the Tournament at the 2002 World Cup despite blundering in the final to allow Ronaldo to score

Borussia Dortmund were the best supported club in Europe last season, with regular crowds above 80,000

Many famous Americans have come from German descent including Babe Ruth, Henry Kissinger and John Rockefeller

Star player Michael Ballack grew up in the old East Germany and was already 13 when the Berlin Wall came down

Franz Beckenbauer is the only European to win the World Cup as a player and manager

The Matches