endroog

Dealing with pressure has never really been a problem for the German national team, which is just as well given their status as tournament favourites going into the 2008 European Championships.

A quick glance at the record books reveals that Germany boast one of the richest and most successful footballing heritages in the game, both before and after reunification in October 1990.

West Germany have won the World Cup three times in (1954, 1974 and 1990) and finished as runners-up three times (1966, 1982 and 1986), they won the European Championships twice (1972 and 1980) and finished as runners-up (1976). Since reunification Germany have finished as European Championship runners-up in 1992, won the tournament in 1996 and finished as World Cup runners-up in 2002.

Add into the equation a third place finish at the 2006 World Cup, a tournament they hosted, plus a reputation for meticulous preparation and it is easy to understand why the Germans exude confidence despite consistently high expectations.

Germany established their credentials as leading Euro 2008 contenders with their impressive World Cup performance, but by the time they became the first team to qualify for the European Championships their status was duly upgraded to that of favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy on June 29th.

However, that is not say Germany’s qualification was not without its slip-ups.

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