Germany - Euro 2008 Team Profile

Mike Tuckerman reports...

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Road to Switzerland / Austria

Germany may have finished runners-up to the Czech Republic in Group D of qualifying, but they finished a comfortable ten points ahead of third-placed Ireland and go into this tournament as one of the favourites.

The Germans scored an impressive 35 goals in qualifying, although nineteen of those admittedly came against the hapless San Marino. Nevertheless Germany were also tight at the back, conceding just seven goals and losing only once as the Czech Republic recorded a stunning 3-0 win in Munich.

Analysis

Widely regarded as the brains behind Germany's semi-final run at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, new coach Joachim Loew has retained the core of the squad that reached the last four of that tournament.

Germany's biggest problem is in goal. Current number one Jens Lehmann has been left on the bench for much of the season at English club Arsenal, while second-choice Timo Hildebrand has forced his way into the first team at Spanish club Valencia. For years Germany relied on Bayern Munich shot-stopper Oliver Kahn, but the veteran keeper has retired from international football.

Elsewhere Loew is gradually beginning to blood a new generation of national team members, including the likes of Bayer Leverkusen youngster Gonzalo Castro and Schalke midfielder Jermaine Jones. Coupled with the experience of captain Michael Ballack, Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings and Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose and Germany will go into this tournament with their usual mixture of youthful enthusiasm and gritty experience.

The key to Germany's fortunes may rest in Loew's ability to manage egos within the dressing room. For the second time in as many tournaments Jens Lehmann is at the centre of a dispute over who should be Germany's number one, while the likes of Torsten Frings and Miroslav Klose are hardly the best of friends.

Key player: Michael Ballack

Despite enduring a torrid time at English Premier League club Chelsea, Michael Ballack remains the driving force in the German midfield. The talismanic captain has won 78 caps and chimed in with an impressive 35 international goals, and he'll have a point to prove after Germany's disappointing first round exits at the past two European Championships.

One to watch: Mario Gomes

The powerful VfB Stuttgart striker has endured an injury-plagued season, but a fully fit Gomez could wreak havoc on unsuspecting defences. The 1.89m striker was named German Footballer of the Year in 2007 after powering his side to the Bundesliga title, while the 22-year-old scored also scored on his international debut against Switzerland.

Coach

Loew was plucked from nowhere to become Jurgen Klinsmann's assistant coach during Germany's 2006 World Cup campaign, and when Klinsmann chose not to renew his contract with the German FA, Loew was appointed head coach of Die Mannschaft.

He has so far endured a nomadic coaching career that has included stints in his native Germany, Turkey and Austria, but Loew is well regarded by the German press, who consider him an astute tactician.

Recent Previous Tournaments

1996: Champions
2000: Group stage
2004: Group stage

Soccerphile says .....

Germany will be desperate to overcome their recent poor form at the European Championship. With group rivals Austria, Croatia and Poland all itching to take on the Germans for a variety of historical reasons, Germany would do well top the group and avoid a potential match-up with bogey side the Czech Republic in the Quarter-Finals.

Euro 2008 Squad

Bet on Euro 2008

Goalkeepers Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Robert Enke (Hanover 96), Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen)
Defenders Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04)
Midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen)
Forwards David Odonkor (Real Betis), Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich), Mario Gomez (VfB Stuttgart), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

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