This summer'sEuropean Championshipis nearly upon us and there's plenty to be excited about prior to a ball being kicked.
One team that will certainly hope their preparations are in check are Germany, who are playing host to the competition for the first time since 1988.
The three-time champions will kick-start the tournament with their clash against Scotland on June 14, as they look to win the Euros for a fourth time.
However, it'll be no mean feat for Germany - who sit 16th in the FIFA World Rankings - given their struggles in the competition last time out.
Here's everything you need to know about Germany, including how they qualified for the tournament, their history in the competition and who to look out for.
Germany are hosting this summer's European Championship for the first time since 1988
Julian Nagelsmann will be taking charge of the national side in a tournament for the first time
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Who is the manager?
Julian Naglesmann (2023-present)
Former Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann is preparing to lead Germany in a competitive tournament for the first time.
The 36-year-old was appointed as head coach of the 2014 World Cup winners back in September and has since taken charge of six matches - which were all friendlies.
From those six games, Nagelsmann's side won three, drawn one and lost two. Things had perhaps looked bleak after winning just one match up until March this year, but recent victories over France and Netherlands will offer encouragement.
Though Nagelsmann is somewhat unproven on the international stage, the 36-year-old remains well-regarded as one of the best young managers in football.
His recent stint at Bayern may have ended in him being sacked but the 71.4 per cent win rate that he accrued is certainly not something to glance over.
The German coach is widely regarded as one of the best young coaches in world football
Who is their star man?
Florian Wirtz (16 games, one goal)
There has always been a lot of talk about Bayer Leverkusen's attacking midfielder and now, in the 2023-24 campaign, it's clear to see what the hype was about.
Throughout the season, the 21-year-old picked up three Player of the Month awards before claiming the Bundesliga Player of the Season trophy - ahead of Harry Kane.
In all competitions, Wirtz has scored 18 goals and recorded 20 assists - from 49 appearances - as he helped Leverkusen record a historic domestic double.
Perhaps more importantly, the German has become a crucial cog in Nagelsmann's system and proved that with a tremendous strike against France in March.
He missed out on Germany's World Cup campaign due to an ACL injury but now the Leverkusen star has the opportunity to impress on the biggest stage.
Honorable mention to Jamal Musiala, who is equally important to Germany's side.
Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz was instrumental in their domestic double this season
The attacking midfielder recorded 38 goal involvements in all matches across 2023-24
How did they qualify?
As per UEFA rules, the host nation automatically qualify for the tournament.
Therefore, the German national side have been partaking in friendlies over the last year while their European neighbours battled it out for a spot at Euro 2024.
However, if anything, this could prove a hindrance for Nagelsmann's side - who have not played a competitive fixture since their group stage exit at the World Cup.
Fixtures (all UK time)
Germany vs Scotland, Friday June 14, 8:00pm at the Allianz Arena
Germany vs Hungary, Wednesday June 19, 5:00pm at the MPH Arena
Switzerland vs Germany, Sunday June 23, 8:00pm atDeutsche Bank Park
Germany will kick-start the competition with a clash against Scotland at the Allianz Arena
Tournament history
Germany have an esteemed history in the European Championships and have won the competition three times in total (1972, 1980, 1996), putting them joint-top with Spain.
However, the host nation have also finished runner-up on three separate occasions - compared to Spain's one - which makes them the most successful team in the tournament's history.
Although, in recent years, Germany have struggled to reach the same heights. Since the turn of the century, they have reached the final just once, which was their 2008 defeat by Spain.
They'll be looking to bounce back from their last appearance in the competition, which saw them eliminated in the Round of 16 by none other than England.
Germany's players stand dejected after their 1-0 defeat by Spain in the Euro 2008 final
Odds to win the trophy
The hosts for Euro 2024, according to SkyBet, have a 9/2 chance of lifting the trophy.
Provisional squad (27 players)
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Alex Nubel (Stuttgart), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton and Hove Albion), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)
