Germany team for 2010 FIFA world cup:
Coach: Joachim Loew. I liked him for his belief in youth. Irrespective of result, it is good for German football over long term.
Captain: Philipp Lahm
FIFA Ranking: 6
Squad rating: 7/10
Group D: Germany, Serbia, Ghana and Australia
Note: Most unfortunate team in world. So far, Germany lost 5 players to injuries. But, German coach is betting on youth and form.
Missing stars: Michael Ballack, Rene Adler, Simon Rolfes, Christian Traesch, Kevin Kuranyi, Torsten Frings, Heiko Westermann and Robert Enke (committed suicide). Loss of Ballack and Westermann is a big blow.
Despite losing so many players, this German team is still not looking weak. Even though, they don’t have experience, some players are in red hot form for their clubs in German league.
Highlight: Germany at least reached quarterfinals in every world cup since 1982. Most consistent performer along with Brazil in recent football world cup history.
Recent tournament hostory:
1. 2008: Runner-up in Euro 2008 and lost to Spain in final
2. 2006: Stood third in world cup by beating Portugal
3. 2002: Lost to Brazil in final.
Predictions: May reach quarterfinals. Injuries to 2-3 first team regulars dented Germany’s chances. But, only fools underestimate Germany at world cup.
2010 World cup Squad:
Name | Age | Rank | Club (Country) |
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Goalkeepers: |
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1. Tim Wiese |
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| Werder Bremen |
2. Manuel Neuer |
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| Schalke |
3. Hans-Joerg Butt |
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| Bayern Munich |
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Defenders: |
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1. Philipp Lahm |
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| Bayern Munich |
2. Per Mertesacker |
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| Werder Bremen |
3. Arne Friedrich |
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| Hertha Berlin |
4. Jerome Boateng |
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| Hamburg |
5. Holger Badstuber |
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| Bayern Munich |
6. Marcell Jansen |
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| Hamburg |
7. Serdar Tasci |
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| Stuttgart |
8. Dennis Aogo |
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| Hamburg |
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Midfielders: |
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1. Bastian Schweinsteiger |
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| Bayern Munich |
2. Sami Khedira |
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| Stuttgart |
3. Piotr Trochowski |
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| Hamburg |
4. Mesut Ozil |
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| Werder Bremen |
5. Toni Kroos |
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| Bayern Leverkusen |
6. Marko Marin |
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| Werder Bremen |
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Forwards: |
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1. Lukas Podolski |
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| Cologne |
2. Mario Gomez |
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| Bayern Munich |
3. Miroslav Klose |
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| Bayern Munich |
4. Stefan Kiessling |
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| Bayern Leverkusen |
5. Cacau |
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| Stuttgart |
6. Thomas Mueller |
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| Bayern Munich |
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Qualification: Germany topped world cup qualifying group which also contains Russia. They are unbeaten in qualifying.
Warm-up games:
1. Defeated Hungary (3-0)
2. June 3: Crushed Bosnia (3-1)
Schedule of Germany games at World cup:
1. June 13: Vs Australia at Durban stadium
2. June 18: Vs Serbia at Nelson Mandela Bay stadium
3. June 23: Vs Ghana at Soccer City stadium
Last 16: June 27: at Free State stadium (prediction)
Quarter-finals: July 3: Vs Argentina at Green Point stadium (prediction)
Famous quote on German soccer team: “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a round ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win.” – England striker, Gary Linekar.
