Bayern Munich Chances in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers

With the World Cup now in the rear view mirror, the qualification for the next big tournament begins for Bayern Munich's vast amount of international talent. Qualification of the UEFA European Championship begins Sunday, and many of the midlevel teams in Europe will hope to increase their international standing.

The retirement of Philipp Lahm, Franck Ribéry, and Daniel van Buyten leaves Bayern's representation a little smaller, but with the end of some careers comes the beginning of others. Bayern's young budding stars also have the chance to guide their countries into rare qualification.

Here is a look at the countries Bayern represent, and their chances to qualify for the Euros:

Austria

Bayern Player: David Alaba
Group Opponents: Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Sweden

Normally dominant in downhill sports, it will be an uphill battle for Austria in their group. They have never qualified for the Euros without hoisting the tournament, and the last time they qualified for the World Cup was 1998. They are the young team, but that might work to their detriment more than to their advantage. Austria's best chance to qualify is to prevent goals, but ultimately their attack must play at a high enough level to power them through to a qualifying spot.

Chances to Advance: 35%

Denmark

Bayern Player: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg
Group Opponents: Albania, Armenia, Portugal, Serbia

Denmark surprised the Euro landscape, nearly halting Netherlands and Portugal to advance out of the group of death. The team is nearly the same, but many have taken steps back in their careers. Nicklas Bendtner has not lived up to the potential he was touted with, and Daniel Agger and William Kvist have lost their spots in the top flights. The good news is that their group has only five teams in it, but their opponents are all in a similar tier in football. Christian Erikson, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, and Simon Kjaer will have to come of age quickly in order for Denmark to have a chance.

Chances to Advance: 65%

Germany

Bayern Players: Jérôme Boateng, Mario Götze, Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, Sebastian Rode*, Bastian Schweinsteiger
Group Opponents: Georgia, Gibraltar, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland

The World Champions are one of the teams that can shift into cruise control in qualifications and still get the results they need. Sure, they will drop a few points here and there, but their qualification is inevitable at this point. What is worth watching is how the player roles will evolve as Joachim Löw adapts his team to the evolution of his personnel. Götze is one of the players fighting for a spot in the side, while Rode will hope Bayern's prominence will assist in his pursuit for a call-up.

Chances to Advance: 100%

Netherlands

Bayern Player: Arjen Robben
Group Opponents: Czech Republic, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Turkey

Going into qualification, the Netherlands will be operating with their third different manager in their third tournament. Louis van Gaal brought a swarming style to the World Cup, and whether Guus Hiddink can continue that tactical success is a major question. Luckily, the group that the Netherlands were drawn into is one of the weaker qualifying groups, although the travel is undoubtedly the worst. Robben will not be part of this first bout, but the punch he brings will lead the Netherlands into their eighth straight Euro qualification.

Chances to Advance: 95%

Poland

Bayern Player: Robert Lewandowski
Group Opponents: Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Republic of Ireland, Scotland

A developing football nation, this will be a make or break qualification for Poland. They have only qualified once without the help of hosting the tournament. The young talent that top clubs have invested in – Lewandowski and Wojciech Szczęsny – will have to start carrying the polish flag so that the longtime flag bearers – Jakub Blaszczykowski and Łukasz Piszczek – will have a taste of international success. The British teams will be tough to overcome, but if Lewandowski turns in to the Polish Ibrahimović, Poland will have a chance.

Chances to Advance: 55%

Spain

Bayern Players: Javi Martínez, Thiago Alcântara, Juan Bernat*
Group Opponents: Belarus, FYI Macedonia, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Ukraine

The winners of the last two European Championships will still be formidable despite their absent desire at the World Cup. They next generation of Spanish talent will begin to take over, adding a youthful exuberance to Vicente del Bosque's team. Martínez will not be part of it for now, and Thiago will have to elbow his way back into a midfield full of playmakers. With only two opponents in the top 50 in FIFA rankings, qualification of the Euros is the least of their problems.

Chances to Advance: 100%

Switzerland

Bayern Player: Xherdan Shaqiri
Group Opponents: England, Estonia, Lithuania, San Marino, Slovenia

The young vibrate Swiss continue to grow their reputation in World Football. The Euros are the next step to make their mark, but they have to qualify first. England is perhaps the only road block, and the way the Three Lions have played, Switzerland are more than capable of taking them out. Without consistent club minutes, Shaqiri will take advantage of being the focal point of the Switzerland attack, but with great power comes great responsibility.

Chances to Advance: 85%

*players not called up in past six months