Good memories of the Netherlands for Gomez

After the shocking attacks in Paris, which saw Germany’s 2-0 loss to France fade into insignificance, Die Mannschaft are looking to get back on track with their preparations for EURO 2016. Tuesday night sees Joachim Löw’s side take on the Netherlands in the HDI Arena. DFB.de has all the key facts ahead of the game.

Record I: The meeting with the Netherlands in Hannover is the 908th international fixture for the Germany national team. There have been 527 wins, 183 draws and 197 defeats since their first game on 5th April 1908. The goal difference from all 907 of the DFB-Team’s matches, which have seen 918 different players wear their nation’s colours, reads 2,037 goals scored and 1,078 conceded.

Record II: This will be Joachim Löw’s 128th game in the dugout since taking on the role of head coach in August 2006. His record so far is 85 wins, 22 draws and 20 defeats. Löw has deployed 102 players during his tenure, handing senior debuts to 77 of them. His most recent debutant was FC Schalke 04’s Leroy Sané during the 2-0 loss to France on 13th November. The match in Hannover could see the next player win their first cap in the form of Paris St. Germain goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.

Record III: Tonight will be Germany’s 41st clash with the Netherlands. The DFB-Team have only faced Switzerland more often in their over 108-year history (51 times). The meetings so far have ended in victory 15 times for Germany, while 15 games have ended in a draw and ten in defeat. The last two match-ups came in 2012: Die Mannschaft triumphed 2-1 in the group phase of the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine, with Mario Gomez scoring both goals. Robin van Persie netted for the Oranje. The last meeting between the sides was on 14th November 2012 and ended 0-0 in Amsterdam.

The road to EURO 2016: The World Champions qualified for next summer’s big event as Group D winners courtesy of seven victories, one draw and two defeats. Netherlands, on the other hand, shockingly finished behind the Czech Republic, Iceland and Turkey in their group to miss out on a European Championship for the first time since 1984.

Milestones: World Champion André Schürrle could win his 50th senior cap. The 25-year-old made his debut on 17th November 2010 in a 0-0 draw with Sweden in Gothenburg. There is also a chance that Sebastian Rudy will make his tenth Germany appearance.

Record appearance holders: Lothar Matthäus is still leading the table, after making 150 appearances between 1980 and 2000. Lukas Podolski is his closest rival with 126, and then Bastian Schweinsteiger with 114. Both of them have been rested for the clash with the Netherlands though, meaning Thomas Müller is the record appearance holder in the current squad, having won 68 caps.

Record goalscorers: Miroslav Klose is leading the standings with 71 goals, just ahead of the legendary Gerd Müller (68). The Nation’s Bomber only played 62 international matches though, compared to Klose's 137. Thomas Müller is leading the current crop of players with 30 goals, ahead of returning player Mario Gomez (25).

Referee: Spaniard Antonio Mateu Lahoz will officiate the game. He has never been the referee for a Germany match before, but the 38-year-old P.E. teacher from Valencia has taken charge of five games involving German clubs in European competitions before.