About
Nickname(s): Nationalmannschaft (National Team) Nationalelf (National Eleven) Die-Adler (The Eagles)
Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
Head Coach: Joachim Low
Captain: Phillipp Lahm
FIFA Ranking: 2
Best World Cup Finish: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990)
Notable Players: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Odds on lifting the cup: 11/2
The Country
Germany is made up of 16 states, with Berlin the countries largest city. Germany is the most populous member state in the European Union with 80.6 million inhabitants. Revolution occurred in Germany between 1918 and 1919 after which the current flag of Germany was adopted. The modern black, red and gold tri-colour represents unity and freedom. Germany has long been called Das Land der Dichter und Denker (The land of poets and thinkers), famous German writers and philosophers have had a major role in the development of western thought and culture. The average German consumes 61 kg of meat a year, whilst 27 million Germans are members of sports clubs. Famous Germans include Freidrich Nietzsche and Michael Schumacher.
World Cup History
Germany have genuine World Cup pedigree. They have made 17 appearances and have won three FIFA World Cup titles, only Brazil (5) and Italy (4) have won the competition more times. Germany’s first title came in Switzerland in 1954, ranked as heavy outsiders Germany went on to beat Hungary 3-2 in a game that became known as the Miracle of Berne. Franz Beckenbauer lifted the trophy again in 1974 as Germany hosted the tournament and in 1990 Lothar Matthaus followed suit claiming the Germans third World Cup trophy. Germany have been runners up four times in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002. No other team has played or scored in more FIFA World Cup games than Germany, with die nationalmannschaft playing in 99 games and scoring 222 goals. Miroslav Klose is Germany’s all time leading World Cup goal scorer along with Gerd Mueller on 14 goals.
The Manager
Joachim “Jogi” Loew, born in Schonau located in the Black Forest in southern Germany began his senior footballing career with SC Freiburg. Loew would go on to have three different stints with the then 2. Bundesliga team throughout the 1980’s and would finish his professional playing career with the second division Swiss side, FC Fravenfeld in 1995 but continued with the team as manager and his first foray into management had begun. Managerial spells in Germany and Turkey culminated in Loew being appointed as assistant coach of the German national team by Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004 and Loew eventually succeeded Klinsmann in 2006. With the help of Klinsmann, Loew moved the German team away from the defensive style of old and to a more attack orientated philosophy. The 54-year-old uses a 4-2-3-1 formation and expects his team to dominate the midfield. “I want three players in the middle who are constantly switching position and moving into the gaps. Going where it hurts the opposition when they’re in posession.”
Qualification
Germany powered to automatic qualification for Brazil in emphatic style as they beat all comers and went through qualification unbeaten. Germany recorded nine victories from ten games, the only blemish coming in Berlin in an enthralling clash against Sweden. Germany had led 4-0 but were eventually pegged back to 4-4 by the Swedes. Loew’s men scored 36 goals in qualification, the most goals of any team qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Six of those goals came against the Republic of Ireland in a 6-1 drubbing of the Irish in Dublin. Even though Loew had seen his men sparkle in qualification he still felt there was room for improvement – “I see two main areas to focus on; we need to stabilise both our defence and our play in the final third.”
Key Player(s)
Sami Kehdira looks set to be Germany’s defensive anchor in midfield, even though he has barely played in 2014 due to a torn cruciate ligament. It is he that will allow the other midfielders to break forward safe in the knowledge they have defensive cover. Loew has named only one striker in his 23 man squad, Miroslav Klose. Therefore the onus is clearly on the midfield to get the goals. The German midfield is jam packed with creativity, youth and attacking intent, Mezut Ozil, Marco Reus, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller are some of Europe’s finest midfield talent and will all be vying for a starting position. Phillipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger provide experience that compliments the emerging younger generation. Both players have over 100 caps for their country and their leadership and experience may be crucial if Germany are to succeed in this years World Cup.
- Germany
- Portugal
- Ghana
- USA
Migeycan 