Germany is strong favourites to win EUROS

Though it is still too early to predict who would win the Euro 2012 tournament, Germany has shown they are the team to beat after registering impressive wins over Portugal and Holland.The Germans are drawn in group of death that also has Portugal, Holland and Denmark. And the three- time European champions have become a dream team in this tournament. They have been the first team to collect maximum points in their preliminary games of group stages and seemingly book a quarterfinal place.The current Germany squad looks stronger than ever though coach Joachim Loew faces some problems filling the left full back position.Germany fans will not be convinced with Lukas Podolski’s performance so far but Loew has talented youngsters to turn to in Mario Goetze of Borrussia Dortmund and Monchengladbach star Marco Reus, who have performed brilliantly for their respective clubs.Both players are very skilful with pace and precision. They are automatically better players than the Arsenal bound Podolski but seem to be under-looked in favour of the experienced former Cologne star.Perhaps we might see them against Denmark as Germany has almost made it to the quarterfinals and only need a point to finish as group leaders.Loew is known for trusting young players, but he is perhaps content with the experience of Podolski, otherwise he has made the right decisions as regards the entire team selection. The defence is outstanding with Borrussia Dortmund’s Matt Hummels forming a formidable partnership with Bayern Munich’s Holger Badstuber. Team captain Philip Lahm, who has been switched from his usual right side to the left defensive role has also performed convincingly well in unfamiliar position. Jerome Boateng has also cemented his first team place in the Mannschaft squad after his impressive performance against Portugal and Holland. Boateng has made some excellent tackles that make him one of the best defenders in the tournament. He stopped Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin Van Persie from scoring inside the 18-yard box. He is very strong in the air and comfortable on one to one.Germany also possesses one of the tournament’s best goalkeepers in Manuel Neuer. The former Schalke 04 man is regarded by many pundits in Germany as probably better then his predecessors Oliver Khan and Andreas Kopke. Khan was successful at Bayern but did not win silverware with Germany. He was known for his good commanding role that helped him to organize his defence. Some say Khan cost Germany the 2002 World Cup trophy in South Korea and Japan. He unnecessarily spilt Rivaldo’s shot in the face of former Brazil striker Ronaldo, who scored the two goals that gave Brazil the trophy.His predecessor Andreas Kopke now with the Germany’s goalkeeping technical team led Germany to the 1996 European Championship crown. He was a good goalkeeper but performed well at an advanced age.Now all praises are heaped on Neuer, who has pulled a spring of surprises not only in the national team but also for his club. Germany is also performing well in the midfield with Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira pulling the strings.The Real’s pair alongside Bayern’s Bastian Schweignsteiger has given Germany a platform to perform not only from the midfield but also in the attack. The trio knows how to support the attackers very well and this is what you expect from good midfielders. Germany’s attack has been built from the midfield to feed lone striker Mario Gomez. With three goals already to his name, Gomez leads the charge for the tournament’s top scorer accolade. He was the Champion’s League second to scorer last season with 12 goals, two less than top scorer Lionel Messi.