Always one of the front runners and favourites for any international tournament, Robin Koch has been selected to play for Germany this summer.
The defender is another player who has impressed for the Whites throughout the 20/21 Premier League season, following his summer arrival from Bundesliga side, SC Freiburg.
Competition with the German defence will be strong, with many senior internationals to choose from. That is something Koch is used to seeing and thrives off, having had to fight for his place within the Whites’ defence at times throughout the campaign.
Who is in charge of Germany?
World Cup winning manager Joachim Low is still in charge of the German side, after taking control in 2006. Having finished runners up in Euro 2008, and finishing third in the 2010 World Cup, Low managed to achieve the ultimate goal in 2014.
His side travelled to Brazil as one of the favourites for the World Cup, and they delivered in style, winning the final against Argentina after dismantling the hosts in the semi-final.
This will be Low’s last tournament in charge of the side with Hansi Flick set to take control after the summer tournament.
Who are Germany playing?
The German’s are in an exceptionally tough group. To progress to the next round, they will have to overcome two fellow tournament favourites in the shape of France and Portugal, whilst Hungary will look to be the surprise package and use how advantage in their favour.
Tuesday 15th June, 2021 - Puskas Arena, Budapest
France vs Germany - 20:00
Saturday 19th June, 2021 - Football Arena Munich, Munich
Portugal vs Germany - 17:00
Wednesday 23rd June, 2021 - Football Arena Munich, Munich
Germany vs Hungary - 20:00
How many times has Koch played for Germany?
Robin made his debut for the Germany Under-21 side in 2018 and very quickly progressed into the senior team. He won five caps for the U21s and was then granted his national team senior debut against Argentina in a 2019 friendly.
Further impressive performances followed in qualifying matches, before a call-up to the squad this summer deservedly followed. Robin now has eight caps to his name and will be looking to add to that at the Euro’s.
Last time out: Euro 2016
One of the tournament favourites as always, Germany progressed well from their group and finished top of Group C, following two wins and a draw. A comfortable win over Slovakia in the Round of 16 was Low’s outfit move safely into the quarter-final, where penalties were needed to overcome Italy.
The semi-final would match them up with hosts France. Two goals from Antoine Griezmann was enough to send the German side crashing out, extending their wait to win another European Championship, of which they currently have three: 1972, 1980, 1996.
Who else is in the squad?
Bernd Leno (Arsenal), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Robin Gosens (Atalanta), Christian Gunter (Freiburg), Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), Robin Koch (Leeds United), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich)
Emre Can (Borussia Dortmund), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Monchengladbach), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Florian Neuhaus (Borussia Monchengladbach), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Kevin Volland (Monaco), Timo Werner (Chelsea)