Germany (Group B)
Squad | Scouting Report | Road to Euro 2008 | Euro History
| Squad | ||
| Player | Position | Club |
| Rene Adler | Goalkeeper | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Robert Enke | Goalkeeper | Hanover 96 |
| Jens Lehmann | Goalkeeper | Arsenal (England) |
| Christoph Metzelder | Defender | Real Madrid (Spain) |
| Per Mertesacker | Defender | Werder Bremen |
| Philipp Lahm | Defender | Bayern Munich |
| Arne Friedrich | Defender | Hertha Berlin |
| Marcell Jansen | Defender | Bayern Munich |
| Clemens Fritz | Defender | Werder Bremen |
| Heiko Westermann | Defender | Schalke 04 |
| Michael Ballack | Midfielder | Chelsea (England) |
| Thomas Hitzlsperger | Midfielder | VfB Stuttgart |
| Simon Rolfes | Midfielder | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Torsten Frings | Midfielder | Werder Bremen |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger | Midfielder | Bayern Munich |
| Piotr Trochowski | Midfielder | Hamburg SV |
| Tim Borowski | Midfielder | Werder Bremen |
| David Odonkor | Midfielder | Real Betis (Spain) |
| Oliver Neuville | Forward | Borussia Moenchengladbach |
| Kevin Kuranyi | Forward | Schalke 04 |
| Miroslav Klose | Forward | Bayern Munich |
| Mario Gomez | Forward | VfB Stuttgart |
| Lukas Podolski | Forward | Bayern Munich |
| Head Coach: | Joachim Low | |
Scouting Report
Style of play: Gone are the days when the Germans would methodically grind out results by waiting for their opponents to make a mistake and pouncing. Former coach Jurgen Klinsmann started Germany's attacking revolution at the 2006 World Cup and Joachim Low, the new man in charge, has continued where Klinsmann left off, insisting the Germans play with speed and creativity. Low uses a compact 4-4-2 formation, but isn't afraid to change things up from time to time. Solid and responsible play in defence is still stressed, and Low can rely on players the calibre of Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker to anchor the back line, with fullbacks Philipp Lahm and Marcell Jansen to provide attacking options down the flanks. In midfield, Low likes to go with one defensive, ball-winning midfielder (Torsten Frings) to complement the playmaking skills of Michael Ballack. The two line up side-by-side and play deep in the centre, but sometimes Low will employ Ballack at the front of a diamond-shaped midfield. In the past Ballack has pushed forward to support the forwards, but Low is expected to have him drop back and lend more support and stability in midfield. Up front, veteran Miroslav Klose leads the line, with Mario Gomez playing beside him. Klose offers height, Gomez speed.
Probable starting formation (4-4-2): (GK) Lehmann - (D) Jansen, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Lahm - (M) Schweinsteiger, Ballack, Frings, Hitzlsperger, - (F) Klose, Gomez
Strengths
Blend of old and young – Not content to stick with the same team that reached the World Cup semifinals two years ago, German manager Joachim Low has injected a touch of youth into the side, giving more than a dozen young players, including star striker Mario Gomez, their national team debut. Combine this with the fact that Low can still call upon Michael Ballack and other veterans, and the German manager has struck a perfect balance between youth and experience.
Defence – Teams will find it tough to score against Germany, who conceded a meagre seven goals in 12 qualifying games. The Germans have a deep reservoir of world-class defenders they can call upon, including Philipp Lahm and Christoph Metzelder. Germany is so defensively solid that talented youngster Arne Friedrich will have trouble cracking the lineup.
Motivation – The Germans breezed through the qualifying campaign – they were the first country to qualify for Euro – giving opposing teams an idea of how hungry they are to win in Austria and Switzerland. The Germans are also eager to build on their World Cup semifinal appearance two years ago and erase the memories of their past two Euro appearances when they crashed out in the first round.
Weaknesses
Injury concerns – Germany is a little banged up heading into the tournament. Michael Ballack underwent a pair of ankle injuries since joining Chelsea in 2006, defender Christoph Metzelder was out for months with a foot injury, and midfielder Bernd Schneider has been ruled out after having surgery on a herniated disc in his back.
Tactical rigidity – Manager Joachim Low is fond of using a 4-4-2 formation, perhaps too fond. The German coach is loath to switch formations, even if the complexion of the game is changed and he needs to make a tactical adjustment. Going with four midfielders (instead of three forwards) also means leaving a talented attacker languishing on the bench.
Who's the starting goalkeeper? – Jens Lehmann started 10 of 12 qualifying games, but the veteran was not a first-choice for Arsenal during the Premiership season. Backup Robert Enke was outstanding for Hannover in the Bundesliga, but the youngster has only made a few appearances for Germany. So who should be between the posts at Euro?
Players to watch
Michael Ballack – An elegant midfielder who carries the ball with style and grace. Ballack serves as Germany's general on the field – everything flows through him. The midfield playmaker is strong with both feet, makes darting runs into the penalty area with the ball, and can score goals with the best of them. The backbone of the German attack.
Philipp Lahm – He's only 24, but Lahm plays with a level of maturity well beyond his years. The German, who can play either on the left or right, is considered one of the best young fullbacks in the game, renowned for his speed, dribbling skills and ability to deliver dangerous crosses into the box. Gives Germany another attacking option with his dangerous runs down the flanks.
Mario Gomez – The son of a Spanish father, the 22-year-old Gomez is one of the most exciting young prospects in German soccer. The free-scoring forward was voted German player of the year in 2007 following an outstanding campaign with VfB Franfurt in the Bundesliga.
Key injuries/sqaud omissions: German coach Joachim Loew cut the inexperienced trio of winger Marko Marin, midfielder Jermaine Jones and forward Patrick Helmes from his final squad. A herniated disc in his back ruled out midfielder Bernd Schneider. Midfielder Michael Ballack (ankle) and defender Christoph Metzelder (foot) played with injuries this past season.
Road to Euro 2008
1st round matches:
June 8 vs. Poland (Klagenfurt)
June 12 vs. Croatia (Klagenfurt)
June 16 vs. Austria (Vienna)
Euro 2008 qualification route: Finished second in qualifying Group 4 (27 points) behind first-place Czech Republic (29 points).
Record in qualifying: 8 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss
Goals for: 35
Goals against: 7
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Lukas Podolski (8)
Qualifying results:
09.02.2006: Germany 1 - Ireland 0
09.06.2006: Germany 13 - San Marino 0
10.11.2006: Germany 4 - Slovakia 1
11.15.2006: Germany 1 - Cyprus 1
03.24.2007: Germany 2 - Czech Republic 1
06.02.2007: Germany 6 - San Marino 0
06.06.2007: Germany 2 - Slovakia 1
09.08.2007: Germany 2 - Wales 1
10.13.2007: Germany 0 - Ireland 0
10.17.2007: Germany 0 - Czech Republic 3
11.17.2007: Germany 4 - Cyprus 0
11.21.2007: Germany 0 - Wales 0
Euro History
Number of Previous Euro Appearances: 9
All-time record: 38 GP - 15 W, 10 T, 7 L
Goals for: 45
Goals against: 32
Most goals: Jurgen Klinsmann (5)
Most appearances : Thomas Hassler and Jurgen Klinsmann (13)
Biggest win : 3-0 vs. Russia in 1996 and 1972
Biggest loss : 0-3 vs. Portugal in 2000
Euro results:
(1968 - 1988 competed as West Germany)
1960 - did not compete in tournament
1964 - did not compete in tournament
1968 - did not qualify
1972 - CHAMPIONS
1976 - finalists
1980 - CHAMPIONS
1984 - first round
1988 - semifinals
1992 - finalists
1996 - CHAMPIONS
2000 - first round
2004 - first round
Legends from the past
Franz Beckenbauer: Nicknamed "The Kaiser," Beckenbauer earned 103 caps and captained West Germany to the 1974 World Cup on home soil. Beckenbauer revolutionized the position of the attacking sweeper (known as the libero) and is considered one of soccer's greatest players of all time.
Gerd Muller: Muller scored 14 goals for West Germany in two World Cups (1970 and 1974), and is the all-time leading scorer in the competition. Nicknamed "Der Bomber," Muller earned 62 caps and scored a record 68 goals for West Germany from 1966-74, still one of the most amazing strike records in international competition.