Home in his native land as he busies himself with his soccer school, Albertz has been an eager viewer of the action from Euro 2012 these past weeks, and fully expects to be in full cheer come July 1 when the final of the tournament takes place.

Germany were the only team to get out of the group stages with a full quota of nine points, and Albertz has admitted that the expectation levels have risen with every passing victory.

"Around half-a-million people gather in Berlin at the big screens in the city centre whenever the German games are shown, and it is the same in all the big cities – the atmosphere has been fantastic," said the Hammer.

"Like every other German fan, I've been shouting at the TV and willing them to go for it.

"As a fan, I am always a bit nervous and you just never know. But so far I think that Germany have been very good, although they can raise the level of performance again."

Next up for Joachim Low's side are the unfancied Greeks, who defied the odds to win the tournament in 2004.

The quarter-final tie goes ahead tonight and Albertz believes that it will be the next step towards the final.

"You never know in football and no-one would have expected Greece to even reach this stage," he said.

"The good thing about us is that we have a really strong bench. Of course, you never want to change a winning team but as soon as there is a need through suspension or injury then there are some strong back-ups to come in.

"The other thing is that the momentum has really started to build too. By being the only team to win all three games in the group, Germany have shown that they have what it takes.

"But this is where it starts to get tough. On paper, Germany have been given what looks like the easiest quarter-final, but Greece will be stuffy and I don't think it is straightforward."

Euro 2012 has been a tournament where Mario Gomez has all of a sudden endeared himself to the hearts of the Germany supporters. The Bayern Munich striker has never been a favourite in his homeland and has often been accused of being lazy ethic.

Yet, his goals so far – including the superb strike against Holland when he dragged the ball with him at speed and spun around before calmly slotting the ball past Maarten Stekelenburg – has catapulted him to hero status in Germany.

And so far as Albertz is concerned, it is not before time, with supporters drawing some unfair comparisons.

Albertz said: "He is forever being compared to Miroslav Klose, which is unfair because they are completely different players."

He added: "Klose always looks for the pass, for an opening, will always make the run, whereas Gomez does not have a lot of movement, but inside the box he is deadly.

"Anyone who has played football will tell you that the hardest thing to do is put the ball in the back of the net – especially when there are lots of eyes on you.

"He has had an exceptional tournament and I'm sure there will be many rooting for him to kick on now and win the Golden Shoe. I'm happy for him because it has been a long road for him where the German fans are concerned."

While Albertz knows that Germany are increasingly the team to beat in the competition, he is wary of underestimating the power of those who are still standing.

"These tournaments always have a shock in them," he said. "Who would have expected the Dutch to be so weak and go home in the manner which they did?

"But it just seems there is a feeling in Germany that the time has come for this team.

"If so, they are going to have to beat some of the big names sooner rather than later.

"Spain haven't quite been at their best yet and you could say the same about Italy and even England.

"But I think that if nothing else Germany have shown a few people that we are a football force to be reckoned with once again."