As hosts of the 2024 European Championships, Germany automatically qualified and were seeded. As per tradition kick off the opening game of the Euro 2024 competition on 14th June 2024, against Hungary, a country they share the Danube River with, and a few star Hungarian players in the Bundesliga.
Both sides were drawn into group A of the tournament alongside Scotland and Switzerland, and will fancy their chances of progressing.
With Die Mannschaft already qualified since their confirmation as host in 2018, they didn’t need to go through the qualifying period like other teams. The last time they kicked a ball in competitive anger was the 2022 World Cup where they exited meekly at the group stages. While not much of a yard stick, they have won just 3 of the 11 friendlies since.
Their form across these was managed by 3 managers; Hans-Dieter Flick, Rudi Voller (on an interim basis), and current head coach Julian Nagelsmann. The former Bayern Munich manager took over permanently in mid-September following the horrific poor run of form under Flick seeing the Germans record no wins in 5 straight international matches (four draws and 1 loss).
Despite the change in the managerial seat, the Germans still went on to win just one of four friendlies under their new gaffer, with Jurgen Klopp now going to be a free agent after the summer and a favourite for the role should the poor form continue and a dismal tournament showing.
The 2024 Euros is the fourteenth outing of the Germans at the tournament, going all the way on three such occasions (1972, 1980, and 1996). The Germans were knocked out of the previous edition by finalists England courtesy of goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane. Worthy to note that the Germans have made the most semi-final berths in the tournament (9).
Hungary under the tutelage of Italian manager Marco Rossi went unbeaten all through qualification, amassing a tally of 18 points spread over five games and 3 draws sharing the group with Lithuania, Bulgaria, and the now-independent Serbia and Montenegro.
High on form and heavily dependent on the brilliance of new captain and Liverpool midfield player Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarians will rely on his inspiration going into their fifth European championships.
At the time of writing, 23 year old Szoboszlai has scored 10 goals in 38 appearances for his national side. He’s also made a big impact since his big money move to Liverpool after impressing in Germany for RB Leipzig.
Hungary remarkably won their group in the 2016 edition ahead of Iceland, Austria, and eventual winners Portugal before getting ousted by Belgium in a 4-0 routing in the next round. They were chosen as one of eleven host cities in the last edition and however finished bottom of their group of deaths involving France, Germany, and Portugal.
The sides have faced off 37 times in total with the Germans boasting a winning record of 51.4% emerging victors 13 times and 12 times in favour of the Hungarians. 12 of these encounters have ended in full-time draws with the Germans putting a whooping 74 goals past their opponents and conceding 68.
Germany vs Hungary Previous Meetings
What’s surprising though, is prior to the recent three games, the last time the times met in a competition was in the 1954 World Cup final, which means it’s been nearly 70 years since the Germans have beaten the Hungarians competitively.
| 04 Jul 1954 | Germany v Hungary | 3-2 | FIFA World Cup |
| 23-Jun-21 | Germany v Hungary | 2-2 | UEFA European Championship |
| 11-Jun-22 | Hungary v Germany | 1-1 | UEFA Nations League |
| 23-Sep-22 | Germany v Hungary | 0-1 | UEFA Nations League |
Match Tickets
The Germany and Hungary fixture will be held in Frankfurt, Germany at the home Stadium of Eintracht Frankfurt on the 19th of June, 2024 at 18:00.
The 51,000-capacity stadium should be accommodating enough for all the excitement on offer from fans of both sides.
Germany vs Hungary tickets are exclusively available via UEFA’s official ticketing portal, which enters applicants into a lottery for seats. Applicants can apply for a maximum of four tickets per match and only tickets for one match per day per applicant will be attributed.
The month-long festival of football includes 22 days of games, giving applicants a maximum of 88 tickets to bid on.
Team News
Line ups
Germany hold the ground as one of the strongest names in European and world football. Julian Nagelsmann certainly has to turn the fortunes of Die Mannschaft around in this tournament or risks following Hans-Dieter Flick through the exit doors.
Finding the best possible way to field young offensive midfielders Florian Wirtz of Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich into the same lineup likely constitutes his biggest headache as they both prefer playing through the middle. The former recovered from a lengthy injury lay-off in the 23-24 season and has been influential up top in his club’s title charge.
Niclas Fullkrug off his 2022 World Cup form, Timo Werner and Leroy Sane will likely lead the attack with veteran captain Ilkay Gundogan, Pascal Gross of Brighton and Hove Albion, and Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka constituting the midfield powerhouse.
Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger will lead the defensive contingent headed into the tournament likely accompanied by Borussia Dortmund legend Mats Hummels and teammate Nico Schlotterbeck, Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and Jonas Hoffman as a likely wildcard in the wingback role.
Germany Possible XI – Ter Stegen; Havertz, Rudiger, Hummels, Gross; Gundogan, Goretzka; Musiala, Wirtz, Sane; Fulkrug.
Hungary continue to prove they are no underdogs in European football finishing second in their last nation league group at the expense of Germany and England. Handing out a 4-0 and 1-0 defeat to England and Germany, respectively, and only league toppers Italy putting them in their place.
Dominik Szoboszlai leads the team from the middle of the park with his 4 goals and 3 assists in qualification helping them take the top spot ahead of Serbia.
Marco Rossi has a handful of talented players to rely on around Europe such as highly rated Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez, RB Leipzig defender Willi Orban, SC Freiburg’s Roland Sallai as well as Le Havre’s Loic Nego.
Hungary Possible XI – Dibusz, Orban, Szalai, Lang; Kerkez, Styles, Nagy, Nego; Sallai, Szoboszlai, Varga
Prediction
Playing on home soil in front of their fans, Germany has far more at stake. Considering their recent form over the last year, and back-to-back group stage exits at the World Cup, Julian Nagelsmann will come into this game keen to oust a very inspired Hungarian side no matter what it takes. With Klopp waiting in the wings, the pressure will be on for a good tournament and he’ll be keen to kick start the campaign with a win.
Germany 2-1 Hungary
