Germany
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Age: 25
Position: Midfielder
Country: Ghana
Caps: 39
Goals: 10
Club: Fenerbahce
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Monday, 15, May 2006 03:44
Hosting the tournament has meant no competitive matches for almost two years - unless you count the Confederations Cup. This German side lacks the talent of previous generations, but with Michael Ballack in midfield and the inspired Jens Lehman in goal anything is possible. The hosts may look average on paper but should not be underestimated.
Group A Fixtures
Costa Rica - June 9th, 1700 BST, Munich
Poland - June 14th, 2000 BST, Dortmund
Ecuador - June 20th, 1500 BST, Berlin
World Cup history
Three-times winners, seven-times finalists, Germany are the most successful European team ever. But this success has brought them little love, due to an unfortunate habit of knocking out the "team of the tournament" (Hungary '54, England '70, Holland '74, France '82 and again in '86) - often in controversial fashion.
The man in charge
The tanned, blonde, Jurgen Klinsmann. Managerial experience, nil. But we, and most Germans, still love him - despite his decision to continue living in California while managing his national team.
Team forte
Home advantage, a bunch of solid players, Michael Ballack, and a physical inability to believe they have lost a game. Their keepers can play a bit too.
Achilles heel
An over-reliance on Ballack to create, and a coach who has never managed before.
Likelihood of England match-up
High, if England finish second and Germany win their group we meet them in the second round. Similarly, if England win their group and Germany come second we will also meet at the same stage. To increase the chances further, another match-up is possible in the final, or the 3rd/4th play-off.
Player to watch
He might not be a player anymore - but Klinsmann's progress will be enthralling. The host country with a brand new manager with adventurous ideas. Brits will also be watching Ballack - Germany's one world-class performer (not counting their goalies) - to see what the Premiership is in store for next season.
Least likely thing to hear from the terraces
"I can't watch, it's penalties."
Chances of victory
Higher than many think. While low on world-class talent, Klinsmann's team is young, fast, and has home advantage. In Ballack and one of Lehman or Kahn they have true class at both ends of the pitch. That said, they are not the best team there, and odds of 8/1 probably reflect their chances quite well. The semis would be a good result, but they could easily be felled in the second round.
Squad:
1 GK LEHMANN Jens - (Arsenal, ENG)
2 DF JANSEN Marcell - (Borussia Moenchengladbach, GER)
3 DF FRIEDRICH Arne - (Hertha Berlin, GER)
4 DF HUTH Robert - (Chelsea, ENG)
5 MF KEHL Sebastian - (Borussia Dortmund, GER)
6 DF NOWOTNY Jens - (Bayer Leverkusen, GER)
7 MF SCHWEINSTEIGER Bastian - (Bayern Munich, GER)
8 MF FRINGS Torsten - (Werder Bremen, GER)
9 FW HANKE Mike - (Wolfsburg, GER)
10 FW NEUVILLE Oliver - (Borussia Moenchengladbach, GER)
11 FW KLOSE Miroslav - (Werder Bremen, GER)
12 GK KAHN Oliver - (Bayern Munich, GER)
13 MF BALLACK Michael - (Bayern Munich, GER)
14 FW ASAMOAH Gerald - (Schalke 04, GER)
15 MF HITZLSPERGER Thomas - (VfB Stuttgart, GER)
16 DF LAHM Philipp - (Bayern Munich, GER)
17 DF MERTESACKER Per - (Hanover 96, GER)
18 MF BOROWSKI Tim - (Werder Bremen, GER)
19 MF SCHNEIDER Bernd - (Bayer Leverkusen, GER)
20 FW PODOLSKI Lukas - (FC Cologne, GER)
21 DF METZELDER Christoph - (Borussia Dortmund, GER)
22 MF ODONKOR David - (Borussia Dortmund, GER)
23 GK HILDEBRAND Timo - (VfB Stuttgart, GER)
James Andrews