Preview: Germany v Ukraine

• World champions Germany tackle 2012 co-hosts Ukraine in Group C
• Germany have yet to lose a competitive game to Ukraine (W2 D2)
• The three-time winners are contesting their 12th consecutive EURO finals
• Joachim Löw's men were beaten twice in a testing qualifying campaign
• Ukraine saw off Slovenia in the play-offs to reach their second EURO

Possible line-ups
Germany: Neuer; Höwedes, Mustafi, Boateng, Hector; Kroos, Khedira; Müller, Özil, Draxler; Gomez.
Out: Hummels (calf)
Doubtful: none 

Ukraine: Pyatov; Fedetskiy, Khacheridi, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk; Stepanenko, Sydorchuk, Garmash; Yarmolenko, Konoplyanka; Zozulya.
Out: none
Doubtful: none

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Joachim Löw, Germany coach
Ukraine are very physical and have quick players on the wings, who are very dangerous when it comes to counterattacks. They can go full speed for 90 minutes. But if we do what we are capable of and are careful in possession, then we are capable of beating Ukraine.

Until 2014, we basically always played in the same formation and with the same system. But in the past two years we have developed further. It's no problem any more for the team to start with a back three or with just two central defenders, and then to switch during a game. That's very important.

Mykhailo Fomenko, Ukraine coach
Every process is ongoing and every team is developing. Germany are no different, even if they are world champions. Their victory in Brazil is history. They'll be ambitious – they haven't won a European title for a long time, so they'll be eager to put that right in France.

We decide on the starting 11 on the day of the game. We're 90% sorted but we still have some time. It's always difficult to get off to a good start but at least there will be no surprises as Germany will play quality football no matter what. I agree with Anatoliy Tymoshchuk who compared the Germans to a machine. Everybody in our camp understands what a hard game this will be.

UEFA.com team reporters
Steffen Potter, Germany (@UEFAcomSteffenP)
The World Cup winners have been inconsistent since their triumph in Brazil and people are pondering whether this is down to a change of personnel or a lack of hunger. There have been a lot of different formations and line-ups post-Rio and Löw even suggested he might not have a single, definitive starting XI for UEFA EURO 2016. The Ukraine game will be a significant test.

Bogdan Buga, Ukraine (@UEFAcomBogdanB)
"Maybe we are a bit weaker individually, so we have to be better collectively," Ukraine's assistant coach Andriy Shevchenko told EURO2016.com. To get a positive result, Fomenko's side must have a compact, organised defence, a combative, composed midfield, well-orchestrated movement and fast attacks up the wings, led by Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko.

Form guide (most recent first)
Germany: WLWLLWLWWW
Ukraine: WWWWDWLWDW

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Did you know?
The countries first met in qualifying for the 1998 World Cup. Oliver Bierhoff and Mario Basler scored Germany's goals in a 2-0 home victory before a 0-0 draw in Kyiv. Find out more in our extensive match background.

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