Before their 5-3 loss to Switzerland in a 2012 EURO preparation friendly, Germany’s biggest loss came against Italy ahead of the 2006 World Cup, losing 4-1 in Florence.  Italy would beat them again in the semi finals of the World Cup that summer, that time in Germany. 

One of Germany’s most humiliating defeats came at the hands of Romania in a preparation match for the 2004 EUROs, losing 5-1 in Bucharest, their central defense made up of Jens Jermies and Carsten Ramelow, two natural holding midfielders.  

Germany and Nürnberg goalkeeper Andreas Köpke celebrated his 50th birthday on March 12th, 2012.  A World and European Cup winner, Köpke was also voted Best European Goalkeeper in 1996 and German Footballer of the Year in 1993.   He currently serves as the German National Team’s goalkeeping coach. 

Germany’s unceremonious squad for the 2000 European championship included several out of form players and certain young players, like an 18 year old Sebastian Deisler (front left) and a 23 year old Michael Ballack who played on 64 minutes throughout the tournament (back row right).  Others pictured are Dariusz Wosz, Carsten Ramelow and Ulf Kirsten. 

Germany’s Marco Reus made his first start for the National Team against France, here against Barcelona left back Eric Abidal in their friendly match on February 29, 2012 in Bremen.  Germany lost 2-1 and have failed to beat France in the last 25 years, the last time being in 1987. 

Oliver Bierhoff not so keen on sharing his shirt with the opposition during his time in Italy with Udinese. 

(Source: interleaning)

There’s a reason Per Mertesacker is so calm and composed on the pitch…..Mertesacker is an admitted Bob Marley fan. 

Catch me if you can.  Mehmet Scholl escaping the clutches of England’s David Platt at the 1996 European Championship semi final.  

Olli Kahn gets hitched.  He held onto that dove as if it was a football. 

England’s Paul Gascoigne catching up with Germany’s Mehmet Scholl during the EURO 96 semi final.