World champions in 2014 and European Championship qualification secured in 2015, so what lies ahead in 2016? What will EURO 2016 in France bring? The past year has been successful, albeit full of change, for the German national team. The aim in the new year is to now add the European Championship to the World Cup in the German trophy cabinet.
Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland are the first hurdles to overcome, and manager Joachim Löw has a clear plan: "It's a case of being focused from the very first game. Poland have a lot of quality, whilst both Ukraine and Northern Ireland can be tricky opponents with their strong defences and dangerous counter-attacks." However, he remains clear: "We're the favourites and we want to win the group. That's our aim."
"No place for terror and violence"
A month before the draw was made, the world was shaken by the terror attacks in Paris, in which 130 people were killed. Football was also affected by the attacks, with the explosions outside the Stade de France intended to cause more harm than they achieved. One month later, the sport returned to normality at the gala for the group-stage draw. Tactics, goals and managers were one everyone's lips, rather than bombs, evacuations and danger. It appeared to do some good: "Together with the other competitors from the other countries, we wanted to show in Paris that we'll stick to our way of life, shaped by openness, tolerance, respect, solidarity, freedom and equality," said Löw, who asserted: "We will not be intimidated. There's no place for terror and violence."
For the national team, 2015 will remain associated with its bad end, coming as a result of the attacks in Paris and the cancellation of the match in Hanover. However, it would be unfair to look over their achievements on the pitch. Nine matches, 810 minutes, 6,316 passes in total with an 88 per cent success rate, an average possession of 66 per cent and a total of over one million metres run. What more is there to say? The 2014 World Cup winners qualified for EURO 2016 as group winners, which should surely be taken away as the key fact of the year.
Preparations for EURO 2016 begin
One key word shapes the European Championship qualifying campaign: Efficiency. The national side were rarely lacking in chances, but they were occasionally somewhat careless with their conversion. Germany had 231 shots over the course of qualifying, the highest figure of any side. However, they had more shots go just wide of the goal than any other team, 87 in total. 53 shots were blocked, once again the highest figure, whilst seven found the woodwork, with no other country having a higher total.
Manager Löw is aware of the issue of chance conversion, but he doesn't see it as a fundamental problem going into the tournament in France. You can only waste chances if you've created chances. "We're producing lots of opportunities, which is the most important thing," he said. "The way we're playing is outstanding regardless." Looking ahead to Germany's Tour de France in the summer of 2016, he added: "We'll use the time we have to prepare well. I'm sure we'll manage to get the team into the shape we need for the European Championship. We've always managed that before big tournaments, and this time will be no different."
Preparations for EURO 2016 begin in March with two top sides, of the same calibre one might expect from the final match-up on 10th July 2016 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, where the European champion will be determined. England are the opponents on 26th March in Berlin, before Italy come to Munich three days later. Two games, but one aim: To get ready for France. "We need to make the most of these games." said Löw. "We'll get to know ourselves a bit better. It's good to go into a tournament on the back of some games at a high level."
Final touches in Switzerland
After the prologue, the finishing touches will be applied in Ticino. Die Mannschaft will conclude their preparations by Lake Maggiore in Switzerland, staying at the Hotel Giardino in Ascona. The current world champions stayed there during the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, and good experiences from that tournament played a role in choosing it for next summer as well. "We felt at home; the atmosphere was unique, and they were very hospitable to us," said Bierhoff. "I'm sure it will be no different this time round. We know that we can prepare in Ticino in the best possible conditions."
