Germany headline Euro action

You are currently viewing Germany headline Euro action
Football - Scotland v Germany - UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Group D - Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland - 7/9/15 Thomas Muller celebrates with team mates after scoring the second goal for Germany Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith Livepic - RTX1RJCV
  • Post published:June 12, 2016

Euro 2016 continues on Sunday as Group D’s opening clash sees Turkey face Croatia, while Poland play Northern Ireland and Germany tackle Ukraine in Group C. 

World Cup Champions Germany are the big name players of Sunday’s Euro 2016 action as the Germans begin their pursuit of a 4th European crown when they take on Ukraine at 21:00. It has been far from plane sailing for Die Mannschaft in recent outings as the side has struggled defensively.

Although the side looked more convincing as they eased to a 2-0 win over Hungary in their final qualifying game, the Germans had fallen to a shock 3-1 defeat against Slovakia just days before. Nevertheless, Joachim Löw’s side are expected to be back to their best for their first fixture of Euro 2016.

Ukraine will have a point to prove in the tie as they aim to demonstrate they have what it takes to qualify for the knock-out stages. The side surprisingly overcame a highly rated Wales outfit 1-0 in their final warm-up game, proving they are not to be underestimated.

Croatia will been to test their credentials as one of the dark horses of the tournament when they face a competitive Turkey side in the day’s 15:00 kick-off. Croatia battled to a 1-1 draw with Hungary in their latest warm-up match and will know they need to step-up their game if they are to take all three points on offer from the Turks.

Turkey, for their part, will be hoping for better following their most recent game, a 2-1 loss at the hands of England a month ago.

The 18:00 kick-off sees Northern Ireland face off against Poland. Bizarrely, Northern Ireland boast the longest unbeaten record of any team appearing in the Euros – a run that stretches 12 games.

That run will come under severe scrutiny against Poland, however. The somewhat erratic Poles are likely to put their best foot forward against the Britsh outfit, having narrowly fallen to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Dutch in a recent warm-up fixture

Possible Germany line-up: 

Manuel Neuer,  Benedikt Howedes, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Jonas Hector, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Julian Draxler, Mesut Ozil, Andre Schurrle, Thomas Muller.