During the Cold War West Germany were crowned world champions on three occasions; 1954 in Switzerland, 1974 in West Germany and 1990 in Italy. Since reunification, die Mannschaft have not won the World Cup, but finished as runners-up in 2002, when they lost to Brazil in the final, and then finished in third place four years ago.

Germany won their qualification group with ease, finishing the sequence of matches unbeaten, including a superb 1-0 win away to Russia in Moscow. Unfortunately December’s World Cup group draw didn’t look too favourably on die Mannschaft. They find themselves in a tough looking Group D with Australia, Ghana and Serbia.

The Coach

Joachim Low (GER)
50 years old

Low was Jurgen Klinsmann’s number two for the World Cup on home soil four years ago. After Klinsmann left as manager Low was appointed as his replacement and proceeded to guide Germany to the final of Euro 2008 where they lost to Spain. The Bundestrainer has had an interesting managerial career which has taken him to Istanbul and Vienna where he managed Fenerbahce and Austria Vienna respectively. As a manager he has two honours to his name, the German Cup, won with Stuttgart in 1997 and the Austrian title won with FC Tirol Innsbruck in 2002. He would dearly love to add a World Cup triumph in South Africa to these two pieces of silverware.


Players to watch

Bastian Schweinsteiger
25 years old
Midfielder
Bayern Munich (GER)

In the absence of Michael Ballack much rests on Bastian Schweinsteiger’s shoulders. The 25-year-old will be expected to take over Ballack’s role as the main driving force in midfield as well as providing a goal threat from deep. Schweinsteiger has proved he can perform at the top level after a series of excellent displays during Bayern Munich’s run to the Champions League final. Joachim Low will be hoping he can replicate his club form for the national side in the Rainbow Nation.

 

 

Lukas Podolski
24 years old
Forward / Left Wing
1.FC Koln (GER)

Lukas Podolski burst onto the international scene four years ago when he formed a successful partnership with Miroslav Klose in the 2006 World Cup, finishing the tournament with three goals as well as being named the World Cup’s Best Young Player. Since then his club career has made headlines for the wrong reasons after a big money move to Bayern Munich went sour and he returned to first love Koln. On the other hand the former Bayern Munich player’s international career has continued to blossom, his current record stands at 37 goals in 70 games. With concerns over the form of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez, who have hardly featured for Bayern Munich in recent months, Joachim Low will be looking for the Polish-born German international to lead the line.


Philipp Lahm
26 years old
Full Back
Bayern Munich (GER)

Joachim Low has handed Philipp Lahm the responsibility of captaining die Mannschaft in South Africa following the withdrawal of Michael Ballack through injury. Lahm memorably scored the opening goal of the World Cup four years ago with an exquisite curling effort against Costa Rica, the beginning of what would be a breakthrough tournament for the then German left back: He now primarily operates as a right back for both club and country. The Bayern Munich vice-captain is one of the more experienced heads in the German camp and many of the younger players will be looking to him for guidance and inspiration.


Thomas Muller
20 years old
Attacking Midfield / Forward
Bayern Munich (GER)

Thomas Muller shot to prominence during Bayern Munich’s Champions League campaign. The 20-year-old put in some good displays in a withdrawn role just off main target man Ivicia Olic and finished the season with an impressive return of 19 goals. With Klose and Gomez spending much of the season on the Bayern Munich bench Joachim Low could turn to Muller to support Podolski in the German attack.


The view from Germany

After progressing to the final of Euro 2008 and qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals with ease, expectations are high. Despite the loss of Michael Ballack and concern surrounding the form of Miroslav Klose there is still a feeling that Germany have enough talent to compete with the best sides in the world. Ballack himself has said an exit before the semi-final stage would be deemed a failure.


Prediction

Germany will use that unique Germanic mentality to escape from Group D as winners and progress through the first knock-out phase. A Lionel Messi led Argentina will then exact revenge from their exit at the hands of die Mannschaft four years and knock Germany out at the quarter-final stage.


Did you know?

Along with Brazil, Germany have appeared in the most World Cup finals; seven in total.

Group games

13/06/10: Germany  4 – 0  Australia     –   Durban
18/06/10: Germany  0 – 1  Serbia     –   Nelson Mandela Bay
23/06/10: Germany  1 – 0  Ghana     –   Soccer City, Johannesburg