Where better to start my previews of the teams in the European Championships than the mightiest of all European footballing countries, Germany.

Unquestionably, Germany (and pre-1990, West Germany) have been the dominant country in the history of the competition.  They’ve appeared more times than anyone else (2012 will be the 11th time they’ve reached the finals), won it more than anyone else (3 times) and been in the most semi-finals (7).  2012 will be their 11th consecutive appearance in the finals, a record unmatched by any other country.

So, from a historical point of view, there is a lot to fear.  Furthermore, since qualifying for their first time in 1972 (and, predictably enough, winning the competition) the longest period they have gone without finishing as champions is 16 years (1980 to 1996).  As 1996 was the last time they won it, it may be time to dust off the black, red and gold colours to put on the trophy.

The team itself looks strong.  They were an exciting and dynamic team in the World Cup in 2010 (albeit anyone would have looked exciting and dynamic against England).  They beat Argentina 4-0 in the quarters before losing 1-0 to Spain in the semis and ultimately finishing in 3rd place.

The groundwork has therefore very much been laid.  The foundation of the team is from Bayern Munich who of course came within a penalty shootout of being European club champions, so they can clearly play.  With a point to prove after finishing runners up in the league and domestic cup, as well as the Champions League, they could be formidable.  Added to the Bayern players will be, amongst others, Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil, Borussia Dortmund’s Mario Gotze and Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski so the reasons to look favourably on their chances mount and mount.

Is there a downside?  Well, Bayern were heavily dependent on Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben to create chances for Mario Gomez and neither will be helping out the Germans (unless they face the Dutch in a penalty shoot-out).  Also, how will a team that is so heavily dependent on Bayern respond to finishing second three times so far this year?  Will the pressure be too much for a squad with the youngest average age in the tournament?

Whatever the answer, for once I am actually looking forward to seeing the Germans play.