Germany have been one of the most successful European teams winning a total of three World Cups and three European Championships. Germany have also finished runners-up in the World Cup four times and have reached the semi-finals eleven times, more than any other country.

Germany are one of only two countries to win more than one European Championship the other being France with two, Germany's three wins came in 1972, 1980, 1996 they have also finished runners-up twice. The win in 1996 was Germany's first major win since the reunification between East and West.