Germany are hosting the 2024 UEFA European Championship in what is the first time they have staged the competition as a united nation after hosting it as West Germany in 1988.
Despite their reputation as serial winners, Germany were feeling the pressure ahead of the tournament after poor showings in their past three major competition appearances. Successive group-stage exits at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar came either side of a Round of 16 loss to England at Euro 2020, and the fans had grown restless.
However, the host nation have enjoyed themselves so far at Euro 2024. They became the first side to secure their place in the knockout phase after a 2-0 victory over Hungary in their second group game, the manner of performance again showing the players look comfortable within Julian Nagelsmann's system.
And after surviving a VAR scare against Denmark in the Round of 16, they booked a quarterfinal spot courtesy of a 2-0 win, with goals from Kai Havertz and Jamal Musiala.
The departure of head coach Joachim Low in 2021 saw Hansi Flick take charge of the top job, but the former Bayern Munich coach was then replaced by Nagelsmann, becoming the first man ever to be fired from the role.
Nagelsmann only managed one win from four games in charge ahead of Euro 2024, leaving Germany desperately seeking better on home soil. Things have certainly been going to plan.
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How did Germany qualify for Euro 2024?
Germany were assured of their place at Euro 2024 as per UEFA rules on automatic qualification for single-nation hosts. However, with no competitive action on the agenda for Flick or Nagelsmann, Germany have played a mammoth list of friendly games in 2023.
After securing just one friendly win in seven matches, Flick was dismissed from his post in September, and Nagelsmann has fared only slightly better, with one win from four before the end of 2023.
How many times have Germany won the Euros?
Germany are the joint most successful team in European Championship history with three wins since its inaugural tournament in 1960. Their first two titles came as West Germany, including a superb victory in their first-ever appearance in the competition in 1972.
Two goals from the great Gerd Muller sealed a 3-0 win over the Soviet Union in Brussels, but they came up short in a European defence four years later, losing to Czechoslovakia in the 1976 final on penalties.
They bounced back to reclaim the title in 1980, beating Belgium in Rome, but they would not win it again until 1996. A famous penalty shootout victory over hosts England in the Euro 96 semifinals set Berti Vogts' team on course for revenge as they edged out an extra-time victory over the Czech Republic in the final.
25 years ago today, #DieMannschaft celebrated a 6-5 win on penalties over England at Wembley in the semi-finals of Euro '96 🇩🇪🎉#OnThisDay pic.twitter.com/YRFGYxz6V7
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) June 26, 2021
Germany European Championship results
Germany have qualified for every European Championship since 1972 and have reached the knockout stages in 11 of those 14 successive appearances. Below is a breakdown of their results at the tournament.
Year | Host | Wins | Draws* | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
1972 | Belgium | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
1976 | Yugoslavia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
1980 | Italy | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
1984 | France | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
1988 | West Germany | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
1992 | Sweden | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 |
1996 | England | 4 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
2004 | Portugal | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
2008 | Austria/Switzerland | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 7 |
2012 | Poland/Ukraine | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 6 |
2016 | France | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
2020 | Europe | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 |
2024 | Germany | 3 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
*Draws include knockout-stage games decided by penalty shootouts level after 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time.
Germany European Championship record
Year | Host | Stage Reached | Eliminated By |
1960 | France | Did not enter | — |
1964 | Spain | Did not enter | — |
1968 | Italy | Did not qualify | — |
1972 | Belgium | Champions | — |
1976 | Yugoslavia | Runners Up | Czechoslovakia |
1980 | Italy | Champions | — |
1984 | France | Group Stage | Spain/Portugal |
1988 | West Germany | Semifinal | Netherlands |
1992 | Sweden | Runners Up | Denmark |
1996 | England | Champions | — |
2000 | Belgium/Netherlands | Group Stage | Portugal/Romania |
2004 | Portugal | Group Stage | Czech Republic/Netherlands |
2008 | Austria/Switzerland | Runners Up | Spain |
2012 | Poland/Ukraine | Semifinal | Italy |
2016 | France | Semifinal | France |
2020 | Europe | Round of 16 | England |
2024 | Germany* | Round of 16 | — |
*Tournament ongoing