Arsenal star Mesut Ozil: ‘England can win Euro 2016 - and that’s not just a diplomatic answer!’

Heat is on: Mesut Ozil says there is extra pressure playing for Germany because the team are always expected to win
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Bongarts/Getty Images
Chris Hatherall10 June 2016

Given Germany’s excellent tournament record, Mesut Ozil’s assertion that his side can reach the final of Euro 2016 is not big news — but what is a surprise is his belief that England will be there, too.

Having spent three seasons with Arsenal, three years before that at Real Madrid and his early career at Werder Bremen and Schalke, Ozil is in a strong position to judge three of the big guns in France this summer and surprisingly it is England who have caught his eye.

Perhaps he is influenced by the performance of Roy Hodgson’s side in a 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin in March, a night when goals from Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Eric Dier meant the visitors came back to win from 2-0 down. But there’s no sense of kidology when Ozil discusses England’s title chances.

He says: “For me, England have improved a lot in the last few years. They have some interesting young players, good momentum from qualifying and certainly they have the ability to fight to get to the final.

“More than that is hard to say — it is difficult to speak about who will win because the tournament is very open. But, for me, they are one of the favourites for the title — and that’s not just a diplomatic answer!”

Ozil has seen all of the players in the England set-up at close quarters, competing against many of them for the Premier League title, and believes Hodgson’s side will cause opponents real problems in France.

“The level in attack for England with Kane, Vardy or Rooney has changed in recent games — and the style of game they play is different compared to previous times,” he says. “I would say the attack is very strong and especially Kane and Vardy have done well. But, of course, that was in friendlies and now we have to see how they perform in a tournament.”

Every Premier League player at Euro 2016

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No such problems for Germany, of course, who always seem to peak when it really matters and consequently go into the Euros as one of the big favourites. They reached the final in 2008, losing to Spain, and made it to the semi-finals in 2012, going out to Italy, so have fire in their bellies this time around.

“We have to think that we can win,” says Ozil. “We have a big squad, big players and our dream is to be champions in France. But we know it will be tough. We have Poland, Ukraine and Northern Ireland in our group and that is a challenge.

“For me there are no easy groups in these Euros. Especially not when you are Germany — because we are expected to win every game and that’s always extra pressure. These kind of teams always jump onto the pitch against you with a big spirit and a big desire because beating Germany is about more than just three points.”

That, of course, is the same for England — only Germany have coped with it far better over the years. Joachim Low’s men begin their campaign against Ukraine on Sunday and it would be a major surprise if they failed to make it out of Group C.

Once in the last 16 it looks like a relatively open field for a side who won the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 but whose last Euros triumph came at Wembley in 1996. “There could be a lot of candidates this time, so it’s not easy to name an outright favourite,” insists Ozil.

“There are too many who believe they could do it — so I think it could be one of the most open tournaments for a long time.

“You have the usual names but also Belgium have a squad with a lot of chances to advance — everyone should watch out especially for their results.

“I know a lot of players in the Spain team, too, and although they have changed a lot of players recently they are still dangerous. They are the European champions and they have people in their squad who know how to win this tournament.”

It’s an honest and open-minded verdict from the Arsenal playmaker, who goes into the finals as one of the top performers in the Premier League last season. But, not surprisingly, when pushed to name an overall winner, the German’s inner confidence eventually rises to the top.

“I can only think about Germany, nothing else,” he says.

Perhaps more interesting is his dream choice of fellow finalist as he added: “I would take any rival in the final as long as Germany is there. But maybe Spain for some sporting revenge — or England because I am Gunner. Either country would be perfect.”

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