Germany's national soccer team has done quite well for themselves. They've won four World Cups (including the last one in 2014) and three European Championships over the past 100 years or so – not bad for a program that was split into two and even three parts after the Iron Curtain went up. At press time, they're +400 second-favorites behind France to win Euro 2016, and –300 favorites to finish first in Group C.
It won't be a cakewalk. Die Mannschaft are grouped with competent and talented teams from Poland (+450 to win Group C) and Ukraine (+500), either of whom could be worth a single-game bet during their Group Stage matches. Northern Ireland (+3300) has made progress over the past year, but they're probably not ready for prime time just yet.
Polish Hammer
As multiple title-winners and the No. 2 team on the World Football Elo Ratings, Germany is prone to being overbet in these situations. Their Euro 2016 experience starts June 12 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille with a match against Ukraine; the Yellow-Blue are on the rise at No. 16 on the Elo ratings, featuring a defense that's arguably better than Germany's – head coach Mykhaylo Fomenko was a defender for the USSR back in the '70s. Ukraine has allowed just 16 goals in 33 matches under Fomenko. They're a value pick at +525 for their encounter with Germany (–180), or you might consider the draw at +305 for a more likely outcome.
Poland is next on Germany's dance card, June 16 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The White Eagles are expected to fare a bit better than Ukraine; they're +450 to upset Germany (–165) with the draw again priced at +305. However, Poland is behind Ukraine at No. 23 on the Elo ratings, and they're a bit lacking on defense. If they win, it should be their two strikers up front, Arkadiusz Milik and Robert Lewandowski, who get the job done in what has become a rare attacking formation in international soccer.
Chalkeaters who want a piece of German action should focus on their match with Northern Ireland, taking place June 21 at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The payout will be low with Die Mannschaft at –450 compared to Northern Ireland at +1300 and the draw at +525. The Green and White Army have moved up 25 spots to No. 55 on the Elo ratings, but that's still well below their No. 25 spot on the FIFA rankings, which should make that chalk a bit more palatable.
*Odds as of June 7, 2016