'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Germany have been seemingly on a decline since their 2014 FIFA World Cup triumph, as they are not one of the favourites at Euro 2020. Nevertheless, Germany have serious pedigree, especially in major competitions; they are three-time European champions and have won the FIFA World Cup on four occasions.
Die Mannschafthaft have been a force to be reckoned with in international football over the years. Germany won their first major international title as West Germany in 1954, stunning Hungary to win the World Cup. They clinched their first European title in 1972 and followed that up with another World Cup triumph (1974).
Six years later, Germany became European champions for the second time. After losing in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup finals, they won the 1990 edition of the tournament, which was also their last international title before unification later that year.
A unified German side emerged victorious at Euro 1996, which remains their most recent Euro title, before their win at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Also Read: Fabrizio Romano's Transfer Roundup: Update on Manchester United's pursuit of Jadon Sancho, Chelsea's plans for Hakimi, and more.
With many fine players turning up for Germany over the years, let's take a look at a hypothetical best-ever Die Mannschaft lineup across generations. Let's get started.
Goalkeeper: Andreas Kopke
Andreas Kopke's biggest achievement arguably was helping Germany win Euro 1996. He played a pivotal role in that campaign. Kopke saved Gianfranco Zola's penalty against Italy in a goalless draw in Manchester. Then in the penalty shootout against England in the semi-finals, he denied Gareth Southgate to take Die Mannschaft to the title match.
Kopke was voted the FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year after his heroics with Germany in Euro 1996 and eventually retired after the FIFA World Cup 1998. His retirement paved the way for Oliver Kahn, another of German football's goalkeeping greats. Kopke played 59 games for Germany.
Full-back: Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer is arguably one of the greatest players of all time. He is the only defender to win the Ballon d'Or award twice. Beckenbauer was known for his ability to cover a lot of ground at the back and is credited with inventing the role of a 'sweeper' in defence.
Beckenbauer captained West Germany to their first Euro title in 1972, where the Mannschaft beat the Soviet Union 3-0 in the final. West Germany came close to successfully defending their title four years later but succumbed to Czechoslovakia in a penalty shootout. However, Beckenbauer was named in the Team of the Tournament that year.
Centre-back: Hans Peter-Briegel
Hans Peter-Briegal played a pivotal role in West Germany's 1980 Euro triumph. He made his Germany debut in the qualifiers that year and went on to excel as the tournament's finest ball-playing centre-back.
Peter-Briegal led the German defence with aplomb and was subsequently named in the Team of the Tournament. He was also awarded the German Player of the Year award in 1985 for his exploits.
Centre-back: Matthias Sammer
After initially playing for East Germany, Matthias Sammer was part of the German side that lost to Denmark in the 1992 Euro final.
Four years later, Sammer was the leader of Germany's defence. He scored the winning goal against Croatia in the quarter-final and led his team to the title, where Germany beat the Czech Republic in the final. Sammer was named the Player of the Tournament and also went on to win the Ballon d'Or award later that year.
Full-back: Karlheinz Forster
Karlheinz Forster was best known for his exceptional man-marking abilities, which he showcased in West Germany's victorious Euro 1980 campaign, where he neutralized Belgium's Jan Ceulemans in the final.
Forster made it to the Player of the Tournament in both the 1980 and 1984 editions of the European Championships. He was also named the German Footballer of the year in 1984.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020.
Defensive Midfield: Dieter Eilts
Dieter Eilts was relatively young and inexperienced when he was named by Germany in their Euro 1996 squad.
Eilts was lauded for his tactical intelligence in dropping back and marking multiple players at the same time. That allowed his compatriot Matthias Sammer to come up in midfield and assist the playmakers.
Dieter Eilts was a vital cog in Germany's defence in that tournament, as they conceded only three goals in the tournament en route to the title. Subsequently, he was named in the Team of the Tournament.
Central Midfield: Hansi Muller
Hansi Muller was known for his elegant playmaking abilities and leadership in the dressing room.
Muller was the soul of West Germany's Euro 1980-winning campaign. He made it to the Team of the tournament that year and was also awarded with the Bravo Award by Italian football journalists.
Attacking Midfield: Bernd Schuster
Partnering Muller in the middle, Bernd Schuster is another legendary name in the long roster of German football greats in European Championship history.
Schuster played two of four games in Germany's Euro 1980-winning campaign, where he was named the best player in Europe after his teammate Karl-Heinze Rummenigge. He also made it to the Team of the tournament at Euro 1980
Bernd Schuster came third in the Ballon d'Or votes in 1981 and 1985.
Winger: Karl-Heinz Rummenigue
Karl-Heinz Rummenigue is an obvious inclusion when talking about Germany's footballing greats at the European Championships. He is one of Germany's greatest ever players.
Rummenigue was part of Germany's Euro 1980-winning campaign and also played a role in his team's run to the finals at the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cup.
He netted 45 goals in 95 appearances for Germany. He was a versatile attacking player who could play in multiple positions and won two Ballon d'Or titles (1980 and 1981).
Center Forward: Gerd Muller
Gerd Muller was the highest scorer for Germany for four decades before Miroslav Klose overtook him. Der Bomber scored 68 international goals in just 62 games.
Muller was short and lanky and did not like to run much with the ball but was highly technical and precise with his finishes.
He was the leading goalscorer in West Germany's 1972 Euro-winning campaign, scoring four goals, including two in the final against Soviet Union. Muller also won the Ballon d'Or award in 1970.
Striker: Klaus Allofs
Klaus Allofs finished atop the Euro 1980 scoring charts, scoring three goals, all in a group-stage 3-2 win over the Netherlands. He was an obvious inclusion in the team of the tournament.
Allofs never managed to win the Ballon d'Or due to the rise of new generation of forwards but was vital in Germany's Euro 1980 winning campaign. He narrowly edges out the prolific Miroslav Klose, who also scored three goals at the Euros.
