WHILE many England fans will be preparing for Euro 2016 more in hope than expectation, Chris Jacobi and his fellow Germans go into the tournament brimming with confidence.

The world champions are among the favourites to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy in Paris on July 10 and Nuffield College student Mr Jacobi will be cheering them on from Oxford.

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The Dusseldorf native watched his side lift the World Cup while studying for his sociology DPhil in the city two years ago and is hopeful of a similar outcome this time around.

The 24-year-old said: "I think it is going to go really well for Germany, we will at least get to the final.

"We are stronger compared to France and Spain, we have a young team but also some experienced players.

"Generally we are confident that we will do very well but I would not say we are arrogant."

Germany take on Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland in qualifying and could potentially meet England as soon as the last-16 stage.

The sides famously met in the semi-finals of Euro 96 when Germany knocked the hosts out on penalties at Wembley.

Mr Jacobi said: "Penalties always go quite well for Germany.

"England have got good players individually but Germany are a stronger team."

Thousands of Northern Ireland fans travelling to the tournament will be hoping things do not go as well for Germany as Mr Jacobi predicts, including Adrian Balmer from East Oxford.

The 39-year-old grew up in Cullybackey, Co Antrim – the same village as Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis – and will travel to France with two friends for his country's first major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.

He said: "It is only sinking in now, there has been such a big build up to it.

"It is incredible because I never thought I would see the day.

"All those years we were going to games in Belfast and the atmosphere was great but we were not getting any consistent form together.

"I think we will draw with Poland, beat Ukraine and lose to Germany, but if we needed something from that game perhaps we might pick up a draw."