Team guide: Germany

Having guided Germany to their first and so far only UEFA European Under-21 Championship title in 2009, Horst Hrubesch is back in charge and aiming to repeat that success. Six of the side that triumphed in Malmo five years ago were part of Germany's FIFA World Cup-winning squad in Brazil, and for Hrubesch, the ambition is still the same. "It is my task to prepare the players in a way that gets them ready to play for Joachim Löw," he said.

Germany finished top of qualifying Group 6 with a match to spare, eight points clear of Romania – whom they thrashed 8-0 in Magdeburg in their final group game. They then saw off Ukraine in the play-offs without conceding. In all, they scored 30 times and let in just five, Philipp Hofmann leading the way with seven goals in ten outings. Germany were eliminated at the group phase in Israel 2013 – Hrubesch expects more in 2015. "Everyone who knows me knows I am not going to the finals to just be there: this team has the ability to win the title," he said.

Coach: Horst Hrubesch
Born 17/04/51
Curiously, Hrubesch replaced his successor Rainer Adrion after Germany's disappointing showing at Israel 2013. The former West Germany striker, who had guided the U21s to glory at the 2009 finals in Sweden, scored both goals during his nation's 2-1 triumph over Belgium in the 1980 UEFA European Championship final.

Final tournament record
2013: group stage
2011: did not qualify
2009: winners
2007: did not qualify
2006: group stage
2004: group stage
2002: did not qualify
2000: did not qualify
1998: quarter-finals
1996: quarter-finals
1994: did not qualify
1992: quarter-finals
1990: quarter-finals
1988: did not qualify
1986: did not qualify
1984: did not qualify
1982: runners-up
1980: did not enter
1978: did not enter

2015 qualifying (including play-off)
P10 W8 D2 L0 F30 A5
Top scorer: Philipp Hofmann (7)
Ever presents: Philipp Hofmann

Germany U21s capped at senior level
Matthias Ginter (5), Marc-André ter Stegen (4), Kevin Volland (3), Christian Günter (1), Maximilian Arnold (1), Max Meyer (1)

Players with previous U21 final tournament experience
2013: Matthias Ginter, Kevin Volland, Bernd Leno, Emre Can, Timo Horn

Most capped player
All-time: Fabian Ernst (31)
Current: Moritz Leitner (24)

Leading scorer
All-time: Pierre Littbarski (18)
Current: Kevin Volland (11)

Biggest wins
Final tournament 
5-0: Germany v USSR, 30/04/1982
1982 semi-finals, (Old) Tivoli, Aachen

Qualifying 
0-11: San Marino v Germany, 17/11/2009
2011 qualifying group stage, Stadio Olimpico, Serravalle

Heaviest defeats
Final tournament 
5-0: Portugal v Germany, 27/06/2015
2015 semi-finals, Ander Stadium, Olomouc

Qualifying 
4-1: Iceland v Germany, 11/08/2010
2011 qualifying group stage, Kaplakrikavöllur, Hafnarfjordur

*Statistics last updated 28/06/15