German Football Association technical director Matthias Sammer hailed Bayern Munich's run to the UEFA Champions League final as proof German football is on the up. Sammer, who won the Bundesliga as coach of Borussia Dortmund in 2002, praised Bayern for retaining a core of German players in their side.

"For Bayern to reach the final in their own stadium is a strong signal for the club, but also for the whole of German football," he said. "What deserves particular attention in this respect is that ten Germany internationals were on the field in the Champions League semi-final. The gap that existed between us and the world's elite midway through the last decade has reduced considerably."

Germany's U-17s will be bidding to win back the European Championship title they last won in 2009 over the coming weeks while the under-19s are bidding to reach the finals, which will take place in Estonia in July.

And with Germany among the favourites for Euro 2012, Sammer is hoping for at least one piece of silverware this summer. "That has got to be our aim," he said on the DFB's website. "Our aim as Germany national team is always to win titles and measure ourselves against the best in the world."