Euro 2024 Group A preview: Can hosts Germany make it a summer to remember?
Group A is brimming with Bundesliga talent, with a full 20 Bundesliga stars in the Germany set-up along with seven in the Swiss squad and six Hungarians in the German top flight. Then there's Scotland, who open the UEFA Euro 2024 in Munich. Time to introduce the four teams...
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Germany
The hosts go into the tournament aiming to become European champions for a record fourth time following victories in 1972 in Belgium, 1980 in Italy and 1996 in England. While that will be a tall order given the quality of some of the other sides, Julian Nagelsmann's men will carry hopes of at least progressing further than the last 16 in Euro 2020, when England knocked Germany out.
Top star: Toni Kroos
A narrow UEFA Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund saw the German legend bow out of club football in the best possible style, winning the tournament for a sixth time. Given his seven league titles, four domestic cups and the 2014 World Cup, there is only one piece of silverware missing in the serial winner's personal trophy cabinet - a European Championship crown. The midfield general's ever-flawless passing technique can help him make a major contribution to Germany's charge in his final games on the big stage, having even come out of international retirement for the occasion.
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
At just 36, Nagelsmann is the youngest head coach at the tournament. Only Otto Nerz has ever been a younger Germany coach at the age of 34 when taking charge in 1923. The tactical genius was an even more fresh-faced 28 when he took charge of Hoffenheim before spells at RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich. He has relished the chance to carry the weight of expectation from the German public since taking the reins of the national team in September 2023.
One to watch: Florian Wirtz
The playmaker is less of an up-and-coming youngster these days than a man at the peak of his powers after inspiring Bayer Leverkusen to a sensational domestic double. In his 49 competitive appearances last season, Wirtz scored 18 goals and provided 20 assists, with his dazzling form seeing him crowned Bundesliga Player of the Season. As a 21-year-old eager to make even more of a mark on the game, he could just make Euro 2024 a defining tournament in a potentially great career.
Watch: The story of Florian Wirtz
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