Euro 2016 Preview - Group C: Germany

On to Group C now. Top seed in the group - The Germans:

Nickname: "Der Mannschaft"

Absurd FIFA ranking: 5th

Coach: Joachim Low

Match Schedule: 

June 12 - Germany v. Ukraine (Lille, 3pm EST, ESPN)
June 16 - Germany v. Poland (St. Denis, 3pm ESPN)
June 21 - Germany v. Northern Ireland (Paris, 12pm, ESPN)

Prospects: Despite the absurd FIFA ranking of 5th, the World Champions will go into France 2016 as presumptive favorites. Manager Joachim Low hasn't changed the side much - and why should he? The Germans have the best keeper in the world in Manuel Neuer, a solid back four, plenty of gifted midfield playmakers such as Arsenal's Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid's Toni Kroos and Wolfsburg's Andre Schurrle, and a potent forward line with the likes of Bayern Munich double act Thomas Muller and Mario Goetze. There are plenty of excellent players in the squad who likely won't get on the pitch in France. It's hard to see any weaknesses in this side.

Key Player: Skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger is the wrong side of 30 now but is still the glue that holds this side together.

Youngster to Watch: It would be interesting to have a look at Schalke wide man Leroy Sane.

Who Will Get the Goals: It has to be Muller, who has scored 31 goals in 70 matches for Der Mannschaft.

Who Will Get the Cards: Juve stopper Sami Khedira picks up plenty of cards, merely because of the role that he plays.

Prediction: Champions!