Germany

The German national football team play internationally in the confederation of UEFA (Europe). They are governed by the German Football Association.

Having won three World Cups and three European Championships, Germany are one of the most successful countries to have competed in world football.

The national team of Germany first took to the field in 1908. They faced Switzerland in Basel on April 5, 1908 and lost the game 5-3. 

Berlin played host to the country's opening home game when they entertained England later that month. They also lost that game, 5-1, before a further defeat away to Austria in 1908.

In 1909 their opening win came against Switzerland in Karlsruhe. The Germans edged the game 1-0 to taste victory for the first time.

The country recorded their biggest win against Russia in 1912. They were able to beat their opponents 16-0 in Stockholm.

Germany had to wait until 1954 for their first major tournament win. It came in the World Cup, which was held in Switzerland. Known during that period as West Germany, they defeated Hungary in the final 3-2, despite trailing in the early stages 2-0.

In 1972, West Germany secured their opening European Championship in Belgium. Goals from Gerd Mullen (2) and Herbert Wimmer gave them a 3-0 victory over the Soviet Union in the final in Brussels.

Two years later, the talented national team won the World Cup as they became one of the few European countries to hold both titles at the same time. They were the hosts of the competition that year. In the final against the Netherlands, they had to come from a goal down to beat them 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Munich.

Further dominance continued in this period for West Germany. They were successful at the 1978 Summer Olympics, winning the gold medal, while in 1980 they secured their second European Championship.

Germany's third World Cup arrived in Italy in 1990. They had to overcome England in a penalty shootout in the last four and then beat a South American team in the final for the first time with a 1-0 victory over Argentina.

Their last major tournament win came in 1996 in the European Championship in England. They were taken to extra time at Wembley by Czech Republic in the final, and they ended up winning 2-1. 

Germany have been as high as number one in the FIFA World Rankings. They have achieved that feat on three different occasions throughout their history.

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