NURNBERG: Germany has not won a major international trophy since the Euro 96. If that run continues at least they may improve their prospects in 2024 through a plan to host the European finals.

Wolfgang Niersbach, president of the German federation, announced that the DFB intended to bid during a celebration of the country’s football in Nurnberg which was attended by new Olympic president Thomas Bach.

Germany hosted the European finals in 1988 then the World Cup in 2006. The city of Munich is also likely to bid to host the Winter Olymic Games in 2022.

Niersbach, who switched from chief executive to become DFB president early last year, said: “Eighteen years after an outstanding World Cup the time will be ripe for another summer extravaganza.”

Words of support came from national coach Joachim Low whose contract has been renewed lately ahead of next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

Low said: “That is brilliant for German football. Everyone saw, in 2006, what such a tournament in your own country means.”

Later Niersbach told UEFA president Michel Platini: “We know that arrangements about the tournament have yet to be approved but UEFA should know, from very early, that it can count on us.”

Promotional and development concerns feature in Niersbach’s thinking about future projects for Europe’s largest football federation.

He said: “We must work to encourage boys and girls into playing football as never before. For example, we now have 4,000 fewer teams for the 10 to 14-year-olds than a year ago.”

Niersbach has just been re-elected as DFB president until 2016.

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