German stars in the money after qualifying for Euro

German stars like Manuel Neuer and Philipp Lahm each stand to make up to 180,000 euros (255,000 US dollars) after the Germans became the first team to qualify for Euro 2012.

Germany's 6-2 hammering of neighbours Austria in Gelsenkirchen on Friday night gave Joachim Loew's side their eighth straight qualification win and leaves them 11 points clear at the top of Group A.

As hosts the Ukraine and Poland have qualified by right, Germany are the first team qualify while unbeaten sides Italy, England, defending champions Spain and the Netherlands are all on track to join them.

The German Football Federation (DFB) have said they will pay 18,000 euros to each player for each qualification game played.

With Germany still to play two qualifiers against Turkey and Belgium, those players, who have played all eight games so far, are on course to receive the bumper windfall of just over a quarter of a million dollars.

By comparison, Germany's players were paid 15,000 euros per qualification game for Euro 2008, when they lost in the final, while each player was paid 20,000 per match for reaching the 2010 World Cup finals.

In addition, each player was paid an extra 100,000 euros for playing in the semi-final when Germany lost to eventual winners Spain.