Germany Euro 2022 team guide: Key players, route to final, tournament history & more
By Ali Rampling
The most successful team in European Championship history will be attempting to regain their title in 2022, as Germany take part in their 11th Euros.
Germany have been a side in transition for the past five years, after a rare, trophy-less spell for Europe's most decorated national side. Die Nationalelf boast an exciting core of young players who have comfortably established themselves in the senior side despite their tender years, and this summer could see everything finally click into place.
Here's everything you need to know about Germany heading into Euro 2022.
Germany Women's Euro 2022 qualifying record
Germany topped their qualifying group ahead of Ukraine, the Republic of Ireland, Greece and Montenegro, and booked their place at Euro 2022 in emphatic style. Die Nationalelf won eight from eight, conceded just once and scored 46 goals - an average of 5.75 goals per game.
Germany Women's team tournament history
Germany are the most successful team in the history of the European Championships, having won the competition on eight separate occasions - most recently in 2013. They were stunned by Denmark in the quarter-finals of Euro 2017, bringing an end to their run of six successive European titles.
Euro 1984: Did not qualify
Euro 1987: Did not qualify
Euro 1989: Champions
Euro: 1991: Champions
Euro 1993: Fourth place
Euro 1995: Champions
Euro 1997: Champions
Euro 2001: Champions
Euro 2005: Champions
Euro 2009: Champions
Euro 2013: Champions
Euro 2017: Quarter-finals
Germany have enjoyed substantial success on the world stage too - but not quite to the same, outrageous extent as they have in Europe. Die Nationalelf have won the World Cup twice, and were eliminated by Sweden at the quarter final stage in 2019.
1991 World Cup: Fourth place
1995 World Cup: Runners-up
1999 World Cup: Quarter-finals
2003 World Cup: Champions
2007 World Cup: Champions
2011 World Cup: Quarter-finals
2015 World Cup: Fourth place
2019 World Cup: Quarter-finals
Germany Women's football team players - key players & ones to watch
Lea Schuller has enjoyed a frighteningly consistent last three seasons, hitting 48 goals in 64 Bundesliga appearances for SG Essen and Bayern Munich - she finished as the latter's top scorer during the 2020/21 campaign as they wrestled the Bundesliga title from Wolfsburg's clutches for the first time in four years.
The 24-year-old forward netted 11 times in just seven World Cup qualifying matches for Germany this term, and will be a fierce contender for the Golden Boot at Euro 2022.
Boasting ability well beyond her years, Lena Oberdorf is one of Germany's most exciting youngsters, and could explode onto the international stage this summer. Energetic and intelligent, the 20-year-old midfielder will be vital for her side - particularly in the absence of Melanie Leupolz.
Germany Women's football team manager
Germany are managed by Martina Voss-Tecklenburg, who has been in the hot seat since 2019. Euro 2022 will be her second major tournament in charge, following Germany's quarter-final finish at the 2019 World Cup.
Voss-Tecklenburg is no stranger to European Championship success, having won the competition on four occasions during her glittering, 21-year playing career. The 54-year-old - capped 125 times for Germany - is in her second international managerial job, following her six-year stint in charge of Switzerland.
Did you know...
Euro 2022 marks the first time this century that Germany have gone into a European Championship not as defending champions. You have to go all the way back to 1995 for the last time Germany were not the holders heading into a Euros - naturally, normal order was restored and they won the whole thing that year.
Women's Euro 2022 Germany fixtures - Germany's route to the Euro 2022 final
Germany vs Denmark
Date: Friday 8 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Stadium MK
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)
Germany vs Spain
Date: Tuesday 12 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)
Finland vs Germany
Date: Saturday 16 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Stadium MK
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)
Germany find themselves in the Euro 2022 group of death, and will likely be going toe to toe with Spain for the top spot. However, 2017's beaten finalists Denmark are more than capable of springing a surprise - just as they did to Germany five years earlier.
Should they top the group, Germany will face the runner-up from Group A, which will likely be either hosts England or dark horses Norway. The Group C runner up or Group D winner would then be their likely semi-final opponent; presumably either the Netherlands, Sweden or France.
Should Germany finish as group runners-up, it will be the Group A winners who await them in the quarter-finals - again, likely either England or Norway. Standing between themselves and a place in the final would most likely be winner of Group C. Again, this will presumably be either Sweden or the Netherlands.
Germany Women's Euro 2022 squad
Goalkeepers: Merle Frohms (Eintracht Frankfurt), Almuth Schult (Wolfsburg), Ann-Katrin Berger (Chelsea).
Defenders: Sophia Kleinherne (Eintracht Frankfurt), Kathrin Hendrich (Wolfsburg), Marina Hegering (Bayern Munich), Giulia Gwinn (Bayern Munich), Felicitas Rauch (Wolfsburg), Sara Doorsoun (Eintracht Frankfurt).
Midfielders: Lena Lattwein (Wolfsburg), Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg), Sydney Lohmann (Bayern Munich), Svenja Huth (Wolfsburg), Sara Dabritz (Paris Saint-Germain), Linda Dallmann (Bayern Munich), Lina Magull (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: Jule Brand (Hoffenheim), Lea Schuller (Bayern Munich), Laura Freigang (Eintracht Frankfurt), Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg), Nicole Anyomi (Eintracht Frankfurt), Tabea Wassmuth (Wolfsburg), Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich).
Predicted finish: Runners-up
Many of Germany's youthful core already have major tournament experience from the 2019 World Cup, and if they can successfully navigate the group of death, this will stand them in good stead for the latter stages. Potentially a first experience of a silver European Championship medal this summer for Germany.