Friday , March 29 2024

Germany head to France

Germany have jetted off for France ahead of Euro 2016, with one of the favourites for this summer’s tournament arriving later than the majority of the competition.

The likes of England, Wales and Spain are already in France, but with Germany’s first game not taking place until Sunday, there was clearly a belief that time was on their side.

Joachim Low’s side go into the European Championship as the holders of the World Cup, having triumphed in Brazil in 2014. They defeated Argentina in the final but a well-honed side impressed throughout and thumped Brazil 7-1 in the semi-final.World Cup winner Joachim Low has one of the most talented squads in the competition available to himWorld Cup winner Joachim Low has one of the most talented squads in the competition available to him.

A number of their more experienced players retired after the World Cup success, but Low will be hopeful of capturing another trophy with a squad brimming in quality, including the likes of Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze and Manuel Neuer.

Their strength can be demonstrated by the fact that Low chose to leave Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus at home, a player who would undoubtedly get into most of the other squads.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was all smiles as he joined the rest of the squad to pose for a series of photographs commemorating their departure.

The Manchester United midfielder has struggled with fitness and form this season since joining the Old Trafford side from Bayern Munich.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was all smiles as he joined the rest of the squad for their departure

Bastian Schweinsteiger was all smiles as he joined the rest of the squad for their departure

The Manchester United player will be looking to put a difficult debut season in the Premier League behind him

However, German icon Franz Beckenbauer has backed Schweinsteiger to perform in the Euros, as he believes he will be happier with the national team.

‘We all remember his bloody face in the last minutes of [the 2014] World Cup final. This we will see again,’ Beckenbauer said.

‘Why? Because he is away from the problems at Manchester. I guess he is feeling really comfortable in the Germany squad.’

Germany kick-off their campaign against Ukraine in Lille before matches against fellow Group C members Poland and Northern Ireland.

A crowd of workers at Frankfurt Airport gather to take photographs of their departing heroes

Germany kick off their campaign against Ukraine on Sunday before facing Poland and Northern Ireland

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