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BERLIN -- Germany go into Euro 2012 among the favorites, but thistime it has less to do with past successes and more to do withtheir modern game that has won over legions of new fans. The three-time European champions have been without a major trophyfor 16 years, despite being tagged favorites at most tournamentssince 1996. This time round, however, their Euro group rivals theNetherlands, Portugal and Denmark will come up against one ofthe youngest, fastest and most furious German teams in at least ageneration. Players like Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira andgoalkeeper Manuel Neuer quickly made a name for themselves at the2010 World Cup with a dazzling display of fast-paced soccer andlethal finishing that saw them crush England 4-1 and Argentina 4-0en route to a third-place finish. The vast majority of coach Joachim Loew's players were justyoungsters when Oliver Bierhoff, now the team's manager, scored agolden goal to hand Germany the Euro trophy in 1996. Many of them were mere toddlers when Franz Beckenbauer coached thenational side to their last of their three World Cup wins in 1990. It is clear that Germany go into such tournaments always asfavorites, Loew said. But it is also clear that there is notjust one favorite, not just Germany. I have often said there isSpain, Italy, France, they are all among those capable of winningit. Big Wins On a good day Germany have shown they can beat any defense, havingwon all 10 of their Euro qualifiers and scored victories infriendlies over big names like Brazil, Netherlands and Uruguay inthe past months. We have learned to take possession of the ball as quickly aspossible. Our game has become more modern, said captain PhilippLahm, at 28 one of the oldest in the team. Of course, Spainremain the favorites. Defensively, Germany have more options than ever with BorussiaDortmund's Mats Hummels adding steel in the centre of defense whereArsenal's Per Mertesacker looks to be in danger of losing hisstarting spot after damaging his ankle and foot playing for Arsenalin February. Dortmund's Marcel Schmelzer is also set to make thesquad. Loew has an impressive luxury of choice in midfield whereKhedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger have forged an efficient holdingpartnership. Goetze, 20, and Real Madrid playmaker Ozil have combined well withToni Kroos, bringing skills that mesh perfectly with the pace ofLukas Podolski, Thomas Mueller, Marco Reus and Andre Schuerrle onthe wings. Lars and Sven Bender have also worked themselves into contentionwith the twins available for all-round midfield assignments. Gomez Goals Mario Gomez has blossomed into a formidable weapon over the pasttwo seasons with the Bayern Munich forward scoring at will in theBundesliga and the Champions League. Forward Miroslav Klose will also vie for the starting spot inLoew's 4-2-3-1 system, looking to crack Gerd Mueller's all-timeGermany goal record of 68. Klose has 63 goals from 116international appearances. We have the luxury of having almost every position coveredtwice, Loew said. A 2-1 defeat by France in February did littleto dampen enthusiasm in the soccer-mad country who see their teamready to win yet another trophy. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as China Alu Zinc Steel , Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel Coil for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Galvanised Steel Sheet.
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