Euro 2008 winner candidate: Germany
Table of Contents
FIFA Ranking (as of May 2008): 4
Schedule:
8/06/2008 v Poland
12/06/2008 v Croatia
16/06/2008 v Austria
Germany are considered as the main contender in Euro 2008.
After two consecutive shameful first round exit in Euro 2000 and 2004, they made an impressive run as through to the semi-finals when they were hosted the 2006 World Cup.
Most people believe that they are going to win their fourth European Championship title.
The Nationalmannschaft are three-time European Champions in 1972, 1980 and 1996, and were able to get through into the finals on two occasions.
And don't forget that they are also three-time World Champions in 1954, 1974 and 1990, and they’ve made it to the finals on four other occasions.
With those achievements there is no doubt that Germany are the most successful international team in Europe.
Joachim Löw as German head coach will put his hope on Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.
He is the captain for Nationalmannschaft and still regarded as the best player in Germany, scoring 35 goals in 80 matches with the national side.
Many people thought that he was on his end after three ankle surgeries in 2007 and inconsistent performance with Chelsea.
However, he managed to get his role back and became one of Blues’ key players at the end of this season.
They also have another key factor, which is the penalty shoot-outs as they have not lost a shoot-out since 1976.
Their goalkeeper Jens Lehmann may be best known for winning the penalty shoot-out with Argentina in the quarterfinals on last World Cup.
In 1997 UEFA Cup Final, he was also the main factor when Schalke beat Inter Milan, also on the penalty shoot-out, although he hasn’t played much for Arsenal this season.
Löw has the best squad for several seasons with the combination of senior players, such as Ballack and Lehmann, and some potential and talented youngsters such as Mario Gómez, Philipp Lahm and Marcell Jansen.
No doubt it’s a strong team with a solid and established tactical system.
Germany Squad
Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Robert Enke (Hannover 96), Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen)
Defenders: Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04)
Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), David Odonkor (Real Betis)
Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich), Mario Gómez (VfB Stuttgart), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
Related links:
Team
Also see:
Schedule:
8/06/2008 v Poland
12/06/2008 v Croatia
16/06/2008 v Austria
Germany are considered as the main contender in Euro 2008.
After two consecutive shameful first round exit in Euro 2000 and 2004, they made an impressive run as through to the semi-finals when they were hosted the 2006 World Cup.
Most people believe that they are going to win their fourth European Championship title.
The Nationalmannschaft are three-time European Champions in 1972, 1980 and 1996, and were able to get through into the finals on two occasions.
And don't forget that they are also three-time World Champions in 1954, 1974 and 1990, and they’ve made it to the finals on four other occasions.
With those achievements there is no doubt that Germany are the most successful international team in Europe.
Joachim Löw as German head coach will put his hope on Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.
He is the captain for Nationalmannschaft and still regarded as the best player in Germany, scoring 35 goals in 80 matches with the national side.
Many people thought that he was on his end after three ankle surgeries in 2007 and inconsistent performance with Chelsea.
However, he managed to get his role back and became one of Blues’ key players at the end of this season.
They also have another key factor, which is the penalty shoot-outs as they have not lost a shoot-out since 1976.
Their goalkeeper Jens Lehmann may be best known for winning the penalty shoot-out with Argentina in the quarterfinals on last World Cup.
In 1997 UEFA Cup Final, he was also the main factor when Schalke beat Inter Milan, also on the penalty shoot-out, although he hasn’t played much for Arsenal this season.
Löw has the best squad for several seasons with the combination of senior players, such as Ballack and Lehmann, and some potential and talented youngsters such as Mario Gómez, Philipp Lahm and Marcell Jansen.
No doubt it’s a strong team with a solid and established tactical system.
Germany Squad
Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Robert Enke (Hannover 96), Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen)
Defenders: Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04)
Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), David Odonkor (Real Betis)
Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich), Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich), Mario Gómez (VfB Stuttgart), Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach)
Please subscribe to our RSS feed to receive more updates. You can also subscribe by Email and enjoy our latest posts sent directly to your inbox.
Related links:
Team
Also see:
Wow! Never lost a shootout? That's simply amazing... but it goes both ways too, either the goal keeper is too good or the reat are so good...which is which? For sure the opponents are good as well because here in Europe, it's abillion Euro business.... even here in Italy, the smallest of the teams...like in lower serie ar earning 3,000 euro the smallest of the players...can you imagine that?
By the way, since we visit each other almost everyday, why don't we make each other a favor and help each other to earn in our blogs.. I start here to do the "handworks" to your adv.e.rtz.... (^_^ .. Is it all right? How about that? More updates, tick me up when Italy is up... (^_ I wanna see what you tell bout them.
Italy is my team, of course for the current European Championship...supporting the "low-life" Cassano.. but not so good with the defense injured already as early as this... sigh.. what's your team?
Take care and best regards, ABC Bloglearner.
Hey! There you go again! never say Canna in Italy! it means marijuana! hahaha! Don't call Caca as well! PLEASE!! hahaha! Words sre so funny... Well, without Cannavaro is a trouble.. He is one of the best defense in the world.. and if i can honestly say, they win because of their defense...and with him breaking his foot this early they are in real trouble!
Well, my friends call me Rogue.. X-men Rogue is nit that bad but I like ALIAS do you know her? My friends call me as ALIAS sometimes because i was crazy when it was still in TV before it finished in 05
ABC Bloglearner says...