Germany Olympic football team
Encyclopedia
The Germany national football team
has been active since 1908, and first competed in the Olympic Games
in 1912
. Olympic football
was originally an amateur sport, and as the pre-World War II
German national team was also amateur, it was able to send a full national team to the games. After the war, Germany was divided, but until 1964
East and West
competed together as the United Team of Germany
. From 1968
West Germany began to compete on its own, but were still forced to send an amateur team, who were not able to match the success of their professional counterparts in the World Cup
and European Championship. The rules on amateurism were relaxed in the 1980s, which allowed West Germany some success, notably a bronze medal finish in 1988
, but this was their last appearance in the Olympic finals. Since 1992
the tournament has been competed by under-23 teams, and the last time Germany selected a specific Olympic team was 1998: Olympic qualification is now dependant on the results of the under-21 team
.
, where they were defeated in the first round, losing 5–1 against neighbours Austria
. They entered a consolation tournament, however, where they recorded a 16–0 win over Russia
, with 10 goals from forward Gottfried Fuchs
- this is still the national team's highest margin of victory. They were eliminated in the next round, though, with a 3–1 defeat against Hungary
. After World War I
, Germany was banned from the 1920 Olympics
, and didn't compete in 1924
, returning to action in 1928
, when they were eliminated in the quarter finals by eventual winners Uruguay
. Uruguay would go on to win the inaugural World Cup
two years later.
Football wasn't included in the 1932 Olympics
, but returned for the 1936 games
, in Berlin
. As hosts, and having finished third at the previous World Cup
, hopes of a German success were high. It wasn't to be, though: after a 9–0 win against Luxembourg
, Germany were eliminated in the quarter finals, losing 2–0 to Norway
. The result cost coach
Otto Nerz
his job, being replaced by his assistant Sepp Herberger
.
, Germany were banned from the 1948 Olympics
, but were back in 1952
. By this point Germany was divided into three states - East Germany and the Saar protectorate
having broken away, with what was left of the country commonly referred to as West Germany
. Saar competed independently in 1952, but East Germany were unable to, and refused to represent a united German team. Consequently the German Olympic team in 1952 was made up entirely of athletes from the west. The growth of professionalism in German football
meant that the team they sent was no longer a senior national team squad, instead an amateur team. Despite this, Germany achieved their best result so far, reaching the semi-finals, where they were beaten by Yugoslavia
. They lost 2–0 against Sweden
in the bronze medal match
.
In 1956
the different parts of Germany competed together as the United Team of Germany
, including athletes from East, West and Saar (which was due to accede in 1956 anyway). The West German amateur team played-off with the East German national team
for the right to represent Germany in the Olympics. The West won, and reached the quarter-finals, losing against the USSR
. The process repeated itself in 1960
and 1964
, but on both occasions East Germany won the right to compete in the tournament. As the East German league
was amateur, it was able to send a senior national team, and despite failing to qualify in 1960, they finished third in 1964, Germany's best result so far.
From 1968
, East and West Germany competed separately, but West Germany failed to qualify for the 1968 games, losing against the United Arab Emirates
in qualification. The 1972 Olympics
were held in Munich
, and West Germany qualified automatically as hosts - the amateur team, which contained future World Cup
winner
Uli Hoeneß and Champions League
-winning coach Ottmar Hitzfeld
, reached the second round, where they were eliminated in a group containing East Germany, who went on to win the bronze medals. West Germany did not qualify for either the 1976
or 1980
Olympics, losing against Spain
and Norway
respectively.
countries, who were able to send their senior national teams to the Olympics, as their leagues officially had amateur status. These rules were relaxed for the 1984 games
: countries could select professional players, but only those who hadn't played in the finals of the World Cup
. As such, West Germany selected a team known locally as the Olympiaauswahl (Olympic selection), similar in make-up to the B international team
. Initially West Germany failed to qualify for the 1984 games, but were granted a reprieve following the boycott
by Eastern Bloc
countries. A team including future World Cup winners Andreas Brehme
and Guido Buchwald
reached the quarter-finals, losing 5–2 against Yugoslavia
.
West Germany qualified for the 1988 Olympics
, where they achieved their best ever result: third place. Having emerged from a group including China
, Sweden
and Tunisia
, they beat Zambia
4–0 in the quarter finals. After losing on penalties to Brazil
in the semi-finals, they beat Italy
3–0 to take the bronze medals: to date, this is the team's only tournament victory against Italy. Three striker
s from the Olympic squad - Jürgen Klinsmann
, Frank Mill
and Karlheinz Riedle
- would go on to win the World Cup two years later
, along with midfielder
Thomas Häßler
.
in 1990, and the 1992 Olympics saw another rule change: football squads would be made up of players under the age of 23, with three overage players allowed. Since this change, Germany have not qualified for the finals of the Olympic games, and the last time an Olympic team was selected was in 1998 (a 1–0 defeat against Portugal). Olympic qualification is now decided by the under-21 team
in the UEFA Under-21 Championship.
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
has been active since 1908, and first competed in the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
in 1912
1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
. Olympic football
Football at the Summer Olympics
Association football, usually known simply as football or soccer, has been included in every Olympiad except 1896 and 1932 as a men's competition sport. Women's football was added to the official programme in 1996.-Early history:...
was originally an amateur sport, and as the pre-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
German national team was also amateur, it was able to send a full national team to the games. After the war, Germany was divided, but until 1964
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
East and West
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
competed together as the United Team of Germany
United Team of Germany
The Unified Team of Germany , competed in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Winter and Summer Olympic Games as a united team of athletes from the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic...
. From 1968
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
West Germany began to compete on its own, but were still forced to send an amateur team, who were not able to match the success of their professional counterparts in the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
and European Championship. The rules on amateurism were relaxed in the 1980s, which allowed West Germany some success, notably a bronze medal finish in 1988
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
, but this was their last appearance in the Olympic finals. Since 1992
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
the tournament has been competed by under-23 teams, and the last time Germany selected a specific Olympic team was 1998: Olympic qualification is now dependant on the results of the under-21 team
Germany national under-21 football team
The Germany national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Germany in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and is controlled by the German Football Association , the governing body of football in Germany....
.
Pre-World War II (1912–1938)
Germany first sent a football team to the Olympics in 1912Football at the 1912 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1912 Summer Olympics was one of the 102 events at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. It was the fourth time football was on the Olympic schedule. The tournament was contested between 11 nations, all of them from Europe, with Great Britain winning the gold medals...
, where they were defeated in the first round, losing 5–1 against neighbours Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
. They entered a consolation tournament, however, where they recorded a 16–0 win over Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
, with 10 goals from forward Gottfried Fuchs
Gottfried Fuchs
Gottfried Fuchs was a German footballer. A German Jew, he fled Germany because of The Holocaust and emigrated to Canada...
- this is still the national team's highest margin of victory. They were eliminated in the next round, though, with a 3–1 defeat against Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
. After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Germany was banned from the 1920 Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
, and didn't compete in 1924
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
, returning to action in 1928
Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics tournament, won by Uruguay against Argentina, would be the precursor to the first FIFA World Cup held in 1930 in Uruguay.-Medalists:-Background:...
, when they were eliminated in the quarter finals by eventual winners Uruguay
Uruguay national football team
The Uruguayan national football team represents Uruguay in international association football and is controlled by the Uruguayan Football Association, the governing body for football in Uruguay. The current head coach is Óscar Tabárez...
. Uruguay would go on to win the inaugural World Cup
1930 FIFA World Cup
The 1930 FIFA World Cup was the inaugural FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Uruguay from 13 July to 30 July 1930...
two years later.
Football wasn't included in the 1932 Olympics
1932 Summer Olympics
The 1932 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the X Olympiad, was a major world wide multi-athletic event which was celebrated in 1932 in Los Angeles, California, United States. No other cities made a bid to host these Olympics. Held during the worldwide Great Depression, many nations...
, but returned for the 1936 games
Football at the 1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Olympic football tournament, won by Italy, has come to share an affinity with the political backdrop against which it was being played; in terms of the history of football, however, the tournament suffered as a reaction to the development of the FIFA World Cup.The introduction of the first...
, in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. As hosts, and having finished third at the previous World Cup
1934 FIFA World Cup
The 1934 FIFA World Cup was the second FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in Italy from 27 May to 10 June 1934....
, hopes of a German success were high. It wasn't to be, though: after a 9–0 win against Luxembourg
Luxembourg national football team
The Luxembourg national football team is the national football team of Luxembourg, and is controlled by the Luxembourg Football Federation. The team play most of their home matches at the Stade Josy Barthel, in Luxembourg.- History :...
, Germany were eliminated in the quarter finals, losing 2–0 to Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
. The result cost coach
Germany national football team manager
The Germany national football team manager is a position created in 1926 and first held by Otto Nerz. The German team began playing matches in 1908, but for 18 years it had no manager. Instead a selection committee chose the team.Ten different men have occupied the post since its inception, all of...
Otto Nerz
Otto Nerz
Otto Nerz was a German football manager, the first head coach of the German national football team between 1923 and 1936....
his job, being replaced by his assistant Sepp Herberger
Sepp Herberger
Josef "Sepp" Herberger was a German football player and manager...
.
Division and Unity (1948–1980)
Following World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Germany were banned from the 1948 Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
, but were back in 1952
Football at the 1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Olympic football tournament signalled the arrival of the 'Golden Team'; the 'Magical Magyars': Hungary. Ferenc Puskás, the great Hungarian known as the 'Galloping Major' for his military title, said of the 1952 competition: "It was during the Olympics that our football first started to...
. By this point Germany was divided into three states - East Germany and the Saar protectorate
Saar (protectorate)
The Saar Protectorate was a German borderland territory twice temporarily made a protectorate state. Since rejoining Germany the second time in 1957, it is the smallest Federal German Area State , the Saarland, not counting the city-states Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen...
having broken away, with what was left of the country commonly referred to as West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
. Saar competed independently in 1952, but East Germany were unable to, and refused to represent a united German team. Consequently the German Olympic team in 1952 was made up entirely of athletes from the west. The growth of professionalism in German football
Football in Germany
Association football is the most popular sport in Germany. The German Football Association is the sport's national governing body, with 6.6 million members organized in over 26,000 football clubs. There is a league system, with the 1. and 2. Bundesliga on top, and the winner of the first...
meant that the team they sent was no longer a senior national team squad, instead an amateur team. Despite this, Germany achieved their best result so far, reaching the semi-finals, where they were beaten by Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
. They lost 2–0 against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
in the bronze medal match
Third place playoff
The third place playoff is a single match that is included in many sporting knockout tournaments to decide which competitor or team will be credited with finishing third and fourth. The teams that compete in the third place playoffs are usually the two losing semi-finalists in a particular...
.
In 1956
Football at the 1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Olympic Games football tournament with just 11 competing nations suffered from cancellations. It was an undistinguished tournament that featured mis-matches and walkovers.-Background:...
the different parts of Germany competed together as the United Team of Germany
United Team of Germany
The Unified Team of Germany , competed in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Winter and Summer Olympic Games as a united team of athletes from the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic...
, including athletes from East, West and Saar (which was due to accede in 1956 anyway). The West German amateur team played-off with the East German national team
East Germany national football team
The East Germany national football team was from 1952 to 1990 the football team of East Germany, playing as one of three post-war German teams, along with Saarland and West Germany....
for the right to represent Germany in the Olympics. The West won, and reached the quarter-finals, losing against the USSR
USSR national football team
The Soviet Union National Football Team was the national football team of the Soviet Union. It ceased to exist after the break up of the Union...
. The process repeated itself in 1960
Football at the 1960 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics was held from 26 August to 10 September in 1960 throughout Italy.-Venues:-Medalists:-Group A:---------------------Group B:---------------------Group C:--------...
and 1964
Football at the 1964 Summer Olympics
The football competition at the 1964 Summer Olympics started on October 11 and ended on October 23. Only one event, the men's tournament, was contested...
, but on both occasions East Germany won the right to compete in the tournament. As the East German league
DDR-Oberliga
The DDR-Oberliga was, prior to German reunification in 1990, the elite level of football competition in the DDR , being roughly equivalent to the Oberliga or Bundesliga in West Germany.-Overview:Following World...
was amateur, it was able to send a senior national team, and despite failing to qualify in 1960, they finished third in 1964, Germany's best result so far.
From 1968
Football at the 1968 Summer Olympics
Final results for the football competition at the 1968 Summer Olympics.-Medalists:-Group A:-------------------------Group B:-------------------------Group C:Ghana replaced Morocco, who refused to play Israel.----...
, East and West Germany competed separately, but West Germany failed to qualify for the 1968 games, losing against the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates national football team
The United Arab Emirates national football team represents United Arab Emirates in association football and is controlled by the United Arab Emirates Football Association, the governing body for football in United Arab Emirates...
in qualification. The 1972 Olympics
Football at the 1972 Summer Olympics
Final results for the Football competition at the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Augsburg, Ingolstadt, Nürnberg, Passau, and Regensburg.-Medalists:-Group A: ---- -----------------Group B: ---- ----------------...
were held in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, and West Germany qualified automatically as hosts - the amateur team, which contained future World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
winner
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
Uli Hoeneß and Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
-winning coach Ottmar Hitzfeld
Ottmar Hitzfeld
Ottmar Hitzfeld is a German former football player and manager, nicknamed der General ....
, reached the second round, where they were eliminated in a group containing East Germany, who went on to win the bronze medals. West Germany did not qualify for either the 1976
Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics
Final results for the Football competition at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Sherbrooke. Groups A, C and D had only three teams instead of four, as Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia national teams adhered to African-led boycott of the Games against the participation of New...
or 1980
Football at the 1980 Summer Olympics
thumb|right|Official Programme of the match [[USSR]] vs [[Venezuela]]The football tournament at the 1980 Summer Olympics started on July 20 and ended on August 2. Only one event, the men's tournament, was contested...
Olympics, losing against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
and Norway
Norway national football team
The Norway national football team represents Norway in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of Norway, the governing body for football in Norway. Norway's home ground is Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo and their head coach is Egil Olsen...
respectively.
Olympiaauswahl (1984–1988)
The strict rules on amateurism had favoured CommunistCommunism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
countries, who were able to send their senior national teams to the Olympics, as their leagues officially had amateur status. These rules were relaxed for the 1984 games
Football at the 1984 Summer Olympics
The football tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics started on July 29 and ended on August 11. It featured only a men's tournament, as women's football had yet to become an Olympic event. It was the first Olympic football competition in which professionals were allowed...
: countries could select professional players, but only those who hadn't played in the finals of the World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
. As such, West Germany selected a team known locally as the Olympiaauswahl (Olympic selection), similar in make-up to the B international team
Germany national football B team
Germany B is a secondary team for the national football team of Germany, used to try out and develop players for potential inclusion for the first team. The team - which has not been active since 2006 - can play against other nations' B-teams, or against full national teams, but its matches are...
. Initially West Germany failed to qualify for the 1984 games, but were granted a reprieve following the boycott
1984 Summer Olympics boycott
The boycott of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. The boycott was a follow up to the American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The boycott involved 14 Eastern Bloc countries and allies, led by the Soviet Union who initiated the boycott on May 8, 1984, and joined...
by Eastern Bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
countries. A team including future World Cup winners Andreas Brehme
Andreas Brehme
Andreas "Andy" Brehme is a German football coach and former football defender. He is best known for scoring the winning goal for Germany in the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final against Argentina on a 85th minute penalty kick....
and Guido Buchwald
Guido Buchwald
Guido Ulrich Buchwald is a German former football defender and manager.The best game of Buchwald's career was probably the final of the 1990 FIFA World Cup when he effectively marked the skilled footballer, Diego Maradona, earning him the nickname "Diego"...
reached the quarter-finals, losing 5–2 against Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia national football team
The Yugoslavia national football team represented the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in association football. It enjoyed a modicum of success in international competition. In 1992, during the Yugoslav wars, the team was suspended from international...
.
West Germany qualified for the 1988 Olympics
Football at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Final results for the football competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics. The tournament was held from September 17, 1988 to October 1, 1988.-Medal summary:...
, where they achieved their best ever result: third place. Having emerged from a group including China
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
, Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
and Tunisia
Tunisia national football team
The Tunisia national football team , nicknamed Les Aigles de Carthage , is the national team of Tunisia and is controlled by the Fédération Tunisienne de Football. They have qualified for four FIFA World Cups, the first one in 1978, but have yet to make it out of the first round...
, they beat Zambia
Zambia national football team
The Zambia national football team represents the country of Zambia in the sport of association football and is governed by the Football Association of Zambia. Before independence they were known as the Northern Rhodesia national football team. The side is nicknamed Chipolopolo as copper is one of...
4–0 in the quarter finals. After losing on penalties to Brazil
Brazil Olympic football team
Brazil Olympic football team represents Brazil in international football competitions in Olympic Games. The selection is limited to players under the age of 23, except three overage players. The team is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation...
in the semi-finals, they beat Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
3–0 to take the bronze medals: to date, this is the team's only tournament victory against Italy. Three striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
s from the Olympic squad - Jürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann
Jürgen Klinsmann is a German football manager and former player who is currently the coach of the United States Men's National Team. As a player, Klinsmann played for several prominent clubs in Europe and was part of the West German team that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the German one that...
, Frank Mill
Frank Mill
Frank Mill was a German footballer and part of the 1990 FIFA World Cup winning squad of West Germany. Further, he participated at the 1984 and at the 1988 Summer Olympics, where he won the bronze medal with the German team.-Biography:A clinical striker in his prime, the son of a junk dealer...
and Karlheinz Riedle
Karlheinz Riedle
Karl-Heinz "Air" Riedle is a former German professional footballer, who won the FIFA World Cup with West Germany in 1990 and the UEFA Champions League in 1997 with Borussia Dortmund. Riedle ended his international career with 42 caps and 16 goals.Riedle's youth clubs are TSV Ellhofen and SV Weiler...
- would go on to win the World Cup two years later
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
, along with midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
Thomas Häßler
Thomas Häßler
Thomas Jürgen "Icke" Häßler is a former German football midfielder and is currently a coach for 1. FC Köln. He was formerly a coach for the Nigeria national team....
.
Reunification (1992–present)
Germany was reunifiedGerman reunification
German reunification was the process in 1990 in which the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany , and when Berlin reunited into a single city, as provided by its then Grundgesetz constitution Article 23. The start of this process is commonly referred by Germans as die...
in 1990, and the 1992 Olympics saw another rule change: football squads would be made up of players under the age of 23, with three overage players allowed. Since this change, Germany have not qualified for the finals of the Olympic games, and the last time an Olympic team was selected was in 1998 (a 1–0 defeat against Portugal). Olympic qualification is now decided by the under-21 team
Germany national under-21 football team
The Germany national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Germany in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and is controlled by the German Football Association , the governing body of football in Germany....
in the UEFA Under-21 Championship.
Overall record
| Games | Performance | Competing as | Squad | Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 1912 - StockholmFootball at the 1912 Summer Olympics Football at the 1912 Summer Olympics was one of the 102 events at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. It was the fourth time football was on the Olympic schedule. The tournament was contested between 11 nations, all of them from Europe, with Great Britain winning the gold medals... |
1st Round |  Germany |
Squad | DFB Committee German Football Association The German Football Association is the governing body of football in Germany. A founding member of both FIFA and UEFA, the DFB organises the German football leagues, including the national league, the Bundesliga, and the men's and women's national teams. The DFB is based in Frankfurt and is... |
 1920 - AntwerpFootball at the 1920 Summer Olympics The football at the 1920 Summer Olympics, was one of the 154 events at the 1920 Summer Olympics, held in Antwerp. It was the fifth time football was on the Olympic schedule. The tournament was contested by 14 teams, with host country Belgium winning the gold medals... |
Banned | |||
 1924 - ParisFootball at the 1924 Summer Olympics At the 1924 Summer Olympics held in Paris, Uruguay dominated the Football tournament winning the Gold.-Amateur Status:In 1921, the Belgium Football Association first allowed for payments to players for time lost from work; in the months that followed four other Associations permitted similar... |
Did not enter | |||
 1928 - AmsterdamFootball at the 1928 Summer Olympics Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics tournament, won by Uruguay against Argentina, would be the precursor to the first FIFA World Cup held in 1930 in Uruguay.-Medalists:-Background:... |
1st Round | Germany |
Squad | Otto Nerz Otto Nerz Otto Nerz was a German football manager, the first head coach of the German national football team between 1923 and 1936.... |
 1936 - BerlinFootball at the 1936 Summer Olympics The 1936 Olympic football tournament, won by Italy, has come to share an affinity with the political backdrop against which it was being played; in terms of the history of football, however, the tournament suffered as a reaction to the development of the FIFA World Cup.The introduction of the first... |
Quarter-final | Germany |
Squad | Otto Nerz Otto Nerz Otto Nerz was a German football manager, the first head coach of the German national football team between 1923 and 1936.... |
 1948 - LondonFootball at the 1948 Summer Olympics The 1948 Olympic Games title was won by Sweden, managed by Englishman George Raynor.-Summary:Sweden, whose Football Association forbade professionalism within domestic football, ran out as winners and only used 12 players throughout the entire tournament but there were exceptional performances put... |
Banned | |||
 1952 - HelsinkiFootball at the 1952 Summer Olympics The 1952 Olympic football tournament signalled the arrival of the 'Golden Team'; the 'Magical Magyars': Hungary. Ferenc Puskás, the great Hungarian known as the 'Galloping Major' for his military title, said of the 1952 competition: "It was during the Olympics that our football first started to... |
Fourth place |  Germany |
Squad | Sepp Herberger Sepp Herberger Josef "Sepp" Herberger was a German football player and manager... |
 1956 - MelbourneFootball at the 1956 Summer Olympics The 1956 Olympic Games football tournament with just 11 competing nations suffered from cancellations. It was an undistinguished tournament that featured mis-matches and walkovers.-Background:... |
1st Round | Squad |  Sepp HerbergerSepp Herberger Josef "Sepp" Herberger was a German football player and manager... |
|
 1960 - RomeFootball at the 1960 Summer Olympics The football tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics was held from 26 August to 10 September in 1960 throughout Italy.-Venues:-Medalists:-Group A:---------------------Group B:---------------------Group C:--------... |
Did not qualify | |||
 1964 - TokyoFootball at the 1964 Summer Olympics The football competition at the 1964 Summer Olympics started on October 11 and ended on October 23. Only one event, the men's tournament, was contested... |
Bronze | Squad |  Karoly Soos |
|
 1968 - Mexico CityFootball at the 1968 Summer Olympics Final results for the football competition at the 1968 Summer Olympics.-Medalists:-Group A:-------------------------Group B:-------------------------Group C:Ghana replaced Morocco, who refused to play Israel.----... |
Did not qualify | |||
| 1972 - Munich Football at the 1972 Summer Olympics Final results for the Football competition at the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Augsburg, Ingolstadt, Nürnberg, Passau, and Regensburg.-Medalists:-Group A: ---- -----------------Group B: ---- ----------------... |
2nd Round | West Germany |
Squad | Jupp Derwall |
 1976 - MontrealFootball at the 1976 Summer Olympics Final results for the Football competition at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Sherbrooke. Groups A, C and D had only three teams instead of four, as Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia national teams adhered to African-led boycott of the Games against the participation of New... |
Did not qualify | |||
 1980 - MoscowFootball at the 1980 Summer Olympics thumb|right|Official Programme of the match [[USSR]] vs [[Venezuela]]The football tournament at the 1980 Summer Olympics started on July 20 and ended on August 2. Only one event, the men's tournament, was contested... |
Did not qualify | |||
 1984 - Los AngelesFootball at the 1984 Summer Olympics The football tournament at the 1984 Summer Olympics started on July 29 and ended on August 11. It featured only a men's tournament, as women's football had yet to become an Olympic event. It was the first Olympic football competition in which professionals were allowed... |
Quarter-final | West Germany |
Squad | Erich Ribbeck |
 1988 - SeoulFootball at the 1988 Summer Olympics Final results for the football competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics. The tournament was held from September 17, 1988 to October 1, 1988.-Medal summary:... |
Bronze | West Germany |
Squad | Johannes Löhr |
 1992 - Barcelona |
Did not qualify | |||
| 1996 - Atlanta Football at the 1996 Summer Olympics The association football competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics was held in Birmingham, Alabama; Washington, D.C; Orlando, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Athens, Georgia.... |
Did not qualify | |||
| 2000 - Sydney Football at the 2000 Summer Olympics The football tournament at the 2000 Summer Olympics was the 20th official Olympic football tournament. A women's tournament was held for the second time.-Medal winners:-Venues:*Olympic Stadium, Sydney*Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney*Bruce Stadium, Canberra... |
Did not qualify | |||
 2004 - AthensFootball at the 2004 Summer Olympics The football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics started on 11 August, , and ended on 28 August.The men's tournament is played by U-23 national teams, with up to three over age players allowed per squad... |
Did not qualify | |||
 2008 - BeijingFootball at the 2008 Summer Olympics Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics was held in Beijing and several other cities in the People's Republic of China from 6 August to 23 August. Associations affiliated with FIFA were invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23 teams to participate... |
Did not qualify | |||
| 2012 - London Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics Football at the 2012 Summer Olympics is scheduled to be held in London and several other cities in the United Kingdom, from 25 July to 11 August. The finals will be played at Wembley Stadium. Associations affiliated with FIFA are invited to send their full women's national teams and men's U-23... |
Did not qualify | |||
See also
- Germany national football teamGermany national football teamThe Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
- Germany national football B teamGermany national football B teamGermany B is a secondary team for the national football team of Germany, used to try out and develop players for potential inclusion for the first team. The team - which has not been active since 2006 - can play against other nations' B-teams, or against full national teams, but its matches are...
- Germany national under-21 football teamGermany national under-21 football teamThe Germany national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Germany in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and is controlled by the German Football Association , the governing body of football in Germany....