Punters considering an outright wager on Euro 2012 should not be deterred by a second straight friendly defeat inflicted on 3/1 tournament second favourites and three-times European champions Germany on Saturday.
Joachim Loew’s charges fell to a shock 5-3 defeat at the hands of Switzerland but it is safe to suggest a much-changed Die Mannschaft will be ready for their Group C opener against Portugal on June 9 (Germany 4/5, draw 9/4, Portugal 3-1 – 90 Minutes).
The fact that Loew cancelled a trip on Sunday to watch the Monaco Grand Prix with the rest of the squad should also be taken as a sign that he will leave no stone unturned.
“Many things did not fit, but I am not too concerned as I know that we will improve in the next week and the one after that. We will be ready,” he said.
The Germans were runners-up to Spain in the same tournament four years ago and finished third in an encouraging World Cup campaign in 2010.
There is genuine belief that Loew has assembled a squad ready to peak and usurp a La Rojas squad perhaps suffering from heavy legs.
They qualified for the Poland and Ukraine showpiece winning an astonishing 10 games – scoring 34 goals – and in Mario Gomez (6/1 – Euro 2012 Top Goalscorer) boast arguably one of the most potent strikers in European football.
A midfield containing Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos has to merit the utmost respect, while Thomas Muller, Lukas Podolski and tournament specialist Miroslav Klose beef up an impressive attacking department.
Key to Germany’s chances will be getting out of a tough Group B containing Portugal, the Netherlands and Denmark (Germany 1/4 – To Qualify).
Loew is also charged with the task of lifting the morale of the squad’s Bayern Munich contingent off the back of a heart-wrenching domestic season in which the Bavarians lost on penalties to Chelsea in the Champions League final on home soil, were pipped to the Bundesliga title by Borussia Dortmund and lost the DFB Pokal final to the same opponents.
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Germany are 15/8 to beat England on Sunday and their chances of victory have been boosted by the news Bastian Schweinsteiger, Jerome Boateng and Mesut Ozil should all be fit to play.