Publications
Partners
Previous appearances in finals: 16
Nicknames:
Die Mannschaft (The Team), used by non German-speaking media
Die DFB-Elf (The DFB-Eleven)
Best performance:
Winners 1954, 1974, 1990
Runners-up 1966, 1982, 1986, 2002
Coach: Joachim Loew. Loew took over after the 2006 World Cup, succeeding Jürgen Klinsmann. He steered his team to the Euro 2008 final where they lost to Spain and is equally confident of a good run in his first World Cup in charge.
Captain: Phillip Lahm
Key Players
Mario Gomez
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Club: Bayern Munich
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers appearances (2010): 10
Goals: 0
Became the Bundesliga's most expensive transfer when he joined Bayern in the close season for a reported 35 million euros. Yet to replicate his club goal-scoring form for Germany. Deadly in the air and inside the box.
Lukas Podolski
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Club: Cologne
FIFA World Cup Finals appearances (2006): 7
Goals: 3
A goal-scoring machine for Germany, having racked up 37 goals in 69 internationals. The quick left-footer will be Loew's first choice in attack in South Africa.
FIFA world ranking May 2010: 6
How they qualified: Germany topped European Group 4 with a near-flawless campaign that saw them win eight out of 10 matches -- including both against rivals Russia -- and draw two.
Prospects: German soccer chiefs have said the team can win a fourth World Cup, with the players also confident of a good run in South Africa next year.
On a good day Germany can beat any team with a deadly attack while their rock-solid defence, which conceded only five goals in 10 qualifiers, will again be a major asset. A lack of consistency against top teams though will be their main obstacle.
Captain and stalwart Michael Ballack (left) will be instrumental if Germany are to regain their form. (AFP)
Nicknames:
Die Mannschaft (The Team), used by non German-speaking media
Die DFB-Elf (The DFB-Eleven)
Best performance:
Winners 1954, 1974, 1990
Runners-up 1966, 1982, 1986, 2002
Coach: Joachim Loew. Loew took over after the 2006 World Cup, succeeding Jürgen Klinsmann. He steered his team to the Euro 2008 final where they lost to Spain and is equally confident of a good run in his first World Cup in charge.
Captain: Phillip Lahm
Key Players
Mario Gomez
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Club: Bayern Munich
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers appearances (2010): 10
Goals: 0
Became the Bundesliga's most expensive transfer when he joined Bayern in the close season for a reported 35 million euros. Yet to replicate his club goal-scoring form for Germany. Deadly in the air and inside the box.
Lukas Podolski
Age: 24
Position: Striker
Club: Cologne
FIFA World Cup Finals appearances (2006): 7
Goals: 3
A goal-scoring machine for Germany, having racked up 37 goals in 69 internationals. The quick left-footer will be Loew's first choice in attack in South Africa.
FIFA world ranking May 2010: 6
How they qualified: Germany topped European Group 4 with a near-flawless campaign that saw them win eight out of 10 matches -- including both against rivals Russia -- and draw two.
Prospects: German soccer chiefs have said the team can win a fourth World Cup, with the players also confident of a good run in South Africa next year.
On a good day Germany can beat any team with a deadly attack while their rock-solid defence, which conceded only five goals in 10 qualifiers, will again be a major asset. A lack of consistency against top teams though will be their main obstacle.
Captain and stalwart Michael Ballack (left) will be instrumental if Germany are to regain their form. (AFP)
