| Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Timo Hildebrand | Goalkeeper | VfB Stuttgart |
| Oliver Kahn | Goalkeeper | Bayern Munich |
| Jens Lehmann | Goalkeeper | Arsenal (England) |
| Arne Friedrich | Defender | Hertha Berlin |
| Robert Huth | Defender | Chelsea (England) |
| Marcell Jansen | Defender | Borussia Moenchengladbach |
| Philipp Lahm | Defender | Bayern Munich |
| Per Mertesacker | Defender | Hanover 96 |
| Christoph Metzelder | Defender | Borussia Dortmund |
| Jens Nowotny | Defender | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Michael Ballack | Midfielder | Chelsea (England) |
| Tim Borowski | Midfielder | Werder Bremen |
| Torsten Frings | Midfielder | Werder Bremen |
| Thomas Hitzlsperger | Midfielder | VfB Stuttgart |
| Sebastian Kehl | Midfielder | Borussia Dortmund |
| David Odonkor | Midfielder | Borussia Dortmund |
| Bernd Schneider | Midfielder | Bayer Leverkusen |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger | Midfielder | Bayern Munich |
| Gerald Asamoah | Forward | Schalke 04 |
| Mike Hanke | Forward | Werder Bremen |
| Miroslav Klose | Forward | Werder Bremen |
| Oliver Neuville | Forward | Borussia Moenchengladbach |
| Lukas Podolski | Forward | Cologne |
| Head Coach: | Jurgen Klinsmann | |
Scouting Report
Style of play: Germany is a disciplined side, noted for its workmanlike efficiency, flawless execution and technical precision. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann uses a 4-4-2 formation, with central defenders Christoph Metzelder and Robert Huth anchoring the back line. Germany dictates the pace of the game by distributing the ball across the width of the field amongst its midfielders. The main playmaker is Michael Ballack, who can comfortably pull the creative strings from the middle, sit back just in front of the defence, or move forward just behind the two strikers, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, to give the attack more thrust. The Germans are a very patient side as they wear their opponents down by controlling the ball and wait for an opening before springing strikers forward on a break towards goal.
Probable starting formation (4-4-2): (GK) Jens Lehmann - (D) Arne Friedrich, Christoph Metzelder, Robert Huth, Philipp Lahm - (M) Gerald Asamoah, Torsten Frings, Michael Ballack, Bernd Schneider - (F) Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski.
Strengths:
Home field advantage - This is an obvious one. The hosts won't have to
make adjustments (to the culture, language, new surroundings, etc.) like the
other teams travelling to Germany will have to. Every game for the Germans
will be played before throngs of their fans, giving them a decided advantage
in contests that are tight and close.
The draw - Playing on home soil, combined with being drawn into a relatively
easy group, gives the Germans a decided advantage. Costa Rica and Ecuador,
while tricky, are hardly in Germany's class and should be dispatched with
little trouble. Poland will be tougher, but they are beatable.
Team spirit - The great German teams of the past have been known for
their unity. This year's squad is no different. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann, though
often lampooned in the German media, has the respect and admiration of his
players. Germany is bound by an incredible team spirit and always believes
it is able to come back to win games when things look bleak
Weaknesses:
One-dimensional - Jurgen Klinsmann has tied himself to using a traditional
4-4-2 formation. His inflexibility in this matter has made Germany limp and
predictable. Because so much of Germany's attack relies on Michael Ballack,
teams can effectively shut the Germans down by focusing all their defensive
attention on him.
Inexperience - Aside from a few veteran players, Germany's team is
comprised of youngsters, many of them unproven and who will be playing at
a major international tournament for the first time. While youth has its place,
so does experience, something the German team is in very short supply of.
Midfield creativity - Playmaking midfielder Michael Ballack is a true
genius, but he's only one man. Germany has a rather pedestrian midfield with
players who can win the ball and tackle but are short on vision, pace and
attacking nous. With such a dearth of midfield creators, it's hard to see
who, other than Ballack, is going to create the scoring chances for the Germans.
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.
Lukas Podolski - Aside from Miroslav Klose, Podolski is Germany's main
scoring threat. The 20-year-old can play up front by himself, or in the hole
just behind the other striker. Podolski terrorizes defences with his blistering
shot, strength, acceleration and cold-blooded scoring touch. One of the most
exciting young forwards in soccer today
Christoph Metzelder - Germany's most naturally gifted defender. His
height allows him to defend expertly with high crosses into the box and although
he's only 25, he routinely shows great confidence and composure in the direst
of situations. A superb tackler who can play at centre or right fullback.
Germany's best defensive player.
Key injuries/ squad omissions: In a bit of a surprise, Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann selected Jens Nowotny despite the defender's near two-year absence from international soccer. Midfielder David Odonkor was another surprise pick, as the 22-year-old winger has yet to play a game for Germany. Notable omissions include injured midfielder Sebastian Deisler (effectively replaced by Odonkor), striker Kevin Kuranyi, midfielder Fabian Ernst and fullback Patrick Owomoyela. Klinsmann's decision not to take Kuranyi is very questionable when you consider the coach did pick striker Mike Hanke, who will have to miss the first two games of the tournament due to suspension. Several players are just getting over injuries: striker Lukas Podolski (back), midfielder Sebastian Kehl (ankle), central defender Christoph Metzelder (calf muscle) and left fullback Philipp Lahm (torn elbow ligaments).
Prognosis: To say Germany is carrying the weight of expectations of an entire nation on its shoulders is a mild understatement. All eyes will be on the hosts as they seek to dispel the notion that their best days are behind them. The reputation of the three-time World Cup champions has taken a beating recently, a fact underscored by Germany's humiliating 4-1 loss to Italy in an exhibition game in March. This is not the same powerful Germany that went to three straight World Cup finals from 1982-90. This is a young, inexperienced, uninspiring and unimaginative team that is in crisis - coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been hounded by the media and German soccer officials about his team selections and tactics ever since he took over the team. History has shown that it's dangerous to underestimate the Germans at the World Cup. The home crowds will allow the Germans to win Group A, but a fourth title isn't going to happen - even making it to the quarter-finals would be a miracle.
Road to the World Cup
Current FIFA Ranking: #19
1st round matches:
June 9 vs. Costa Rica in Munich
June 14 vs. Poland in Dortmund
June 20 vs. Ecuador in Berlin
2006 qualification route: Germany automatically qualified as hosts.
World Cup History
FIFA member since: 1904
Team nickname: Die Nationalelf, Nationalmannschaft (the National 11)
All-time caps leader: Lothar Matthaus (150)
All-time leading scorer: Gerd Muller (68 goals)
Number of Previous World Cup Appearances: 15
All-time record: 85 games played, 50 wins, 18 draws, 17 losses
Goals for: 176 Goals against: 106
World Cup History:
(1954 to 1990 - competed as West Germany)
1930 - Did not enter
1934 - Semifinals (3rd place)
1938 - First round
1950 - Did not enter
1954 - CHAMPIONS
1958 - Semifinals (4th place)
1962 - Quarter-finals
1966 - Runners-up
1970 - Semifinals (3rd place)
1974 - CHAMPIONS
1978 - Second round
1982 - Runners-up
1986 -Runners-up
1990 - CHAMPIONS
1994 - Quarter-finals
1998 - Quarter-finals
2002 - Runners-up
Biggest victory: 8-0 vs. Saudi Arabia in 2002
Biggest defeat: 8-3 vs. Hungary in 1954
Overall top scorer: Gerd Muller (14 goals)
Most appearances: Lothar Matthaus (25 matches)
Hosted the World Cup: 1974 and 2006
Past Achievements:
European Champions: 1972, 1980, 1996
Under-21 World Champions: 1981
Under-19 European Champions: 1981
Olympic Bronze Medal: 1988
Greatest Players:
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.