Gibraltar v Germany background
Monday, June 1, 2015
Article summary
Gibraltar welcome world champions Germany in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group D looking for more accolades after scoring their first competitive goal last time out.
Article top media content
Article body
Gibraltar's loss to Germany in November was greeted as something of a triumph, with new coach Dave Wilson hoping to spring a bigger surprise in their UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group D rematch.
Previous meetings
• In the only previous meeting between sides from these countries at any European level, Thomas Müller (12, 29), Mario Götze (38) and a Yogan Santos own goal (67) gave the world champions a 4-0 victory against Gibraltar in Nuremberg.
• "Words cannot describe what I feel about my players and the back-room staff," said then Gibraltar coach Allen Bula afterwards.
Form guide
• Gibraltar have lost all five of their qualifiers to date, but achieved a notable breakthrough last time out, Lee Casciaro scoring their first competitive goal in a 6-1 loss to Scotland.
• A defeat in Poland and a draw at home against the Republic of Ireland mean that Germany unexpectedly lie second in the Group D standings behind Poland.
Trivia and links
• Gibraltar conceded 27 goals in their first five qualifiers; seven more than any other side at the halfway point in qualifying – at an average rate of 5.4 per game.
• Gibraltar's only win in ten matches as a UEFA member nation (W1 D2 L7) was a 1-0 success at home against Malta in a friendly on 4 June 2014, though UEFA's newest members have also held Slovakia (0-0) and Estonia (1-1).
• Lukas Podolski is two goals shy of his 50th for Germany going into the match against Gibraltar.