5. Youth Development

Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

After an embarrassing run at Euro 2000, the DFB -- Germany’s Football Association -- put in place a system to revamp their national football product at a grassroots level. They created youth academies across the top two tiers of German club football, putting an emphasis on technically gifted, homegrown players. The manifestation of this labor is a star-studded cast of young players plying their trade in the Bundasliga: Julian Draxler, Lars Bender, Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan all currently play in the German top flight.

This budding generation of homegrown players is the future of German football, and the future looks bright.

4. Attacking Style

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Germany’s fluid attacking style is as easy on the eyes as it is hard on the opposition. Their intent isn’t disguised, but it is effective as the ball is played directly without simply knocking it long for teammates to chase. Germany finds space and uses the wings to their advantage, using speedy, technical wingers to play crosses or cut in to take shots from long range. Their midfielders can play key, incisive passes to supply attackers with ease. As we have already seen this year, Mesut Ozil has single-handedly put Arsenal FC at the top of the premier league.

3. Club Dominance

Witters Sport-USA TODAY Sports

In last year's Champions League Final, Germany’s two best clubs met after defeating Spain’s finest in the tournament’s semifinals. The final was a thrilling 2-1 win for Bayern Munich, who found vengeance after losing to Chelsea FC the year before in Bavaria.

This year, Munich tops their Champions League group as well as the Bundesliga, albeit underwhelmingly. Dortmund is currently sitting in third place in their Champions League group while maintaining a close second place in the Bundesliga. Bayer Leverkusen is in a hopeful Champions League position, sitting in second behind Manchester United while claiming third place in the German top flight on goal difference.

2. Depth

Witters Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Great players are key for winning a single match, but depth at each position is key for winning a tournament. Germany has just that. They could field two, possibly three dominant sides without reusing a single player. They have extremely capable goalkeepers, a defense with more great center-backs than they can play, and a midfield that is arguably the best in the world. The only worry is at striker. Though still potent, Miroslav Klose is getting on in age, and Mario Gomez has had recent injury woes since moving to Fiorentina this season. After that, Germany would have to turn to an untested pair in Max Kruse and Stefan Kiessling.

1. Experience

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Germany was not expected to do great things in the 2010 World Cup. but made it to a third-place finish on the backs of some rising young stars, most notably Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil.

Now, four years later, that young, overachieving side has the experience and talent to be favorites for the title. Philip Lahm, Bastien Schweinsteiger, and Jerome Boateng will all bring leadership to the side, while the new wave of world-class talent, including Mario Gotze, Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle will grace the stage with the flair and fluidity that has manifested itself in German football in recent years.