Germany

Coach:

Joachim Loew

Born: 03/02/60

Goalkeepers

Jens Lehmann (Arsenal)

Born: 10/11/69 Caps: 55 Goals: 0

Lehmann won his personal battle with Oliver Kahn for the number one spot ahead of the World Cup, then received high praise during the tournament but lost out at his club Arsenal to Spaniard Manuel Almunia. Lehmann is prone to the odd inexplicable error, a failing that cost him the Arsenal job.

Robert Enke (Hanover)

Born: 24/08/77 Caps: 1 Goals: 0

The much travelled Enke, who counts Barcelona among his former clubs, got the nod over Timo Hildebrand for the number two slot. Was the outstanding keeper in the German Bundesliga but looked nervous in his one full international appearance, a defeat against Denmark.

Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen)

Born: 15/01/85 Caps: 0 Goals: 0

One of a handful of brilliant keepers. Adler has the confidence that marked out Iker Casillas when he came from nowhere as a teenager with Real Madrid. Said to be a big Manchester United fan.

Defenders

Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid)

Born: 05/11/80 Caps: 41 Goals: 0

Moved to Real Madrid but his hopes of excelling in Spain were short lived because of an intervention. When fit, he is Loew's first choice to partner Per Mertesacker.

Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen)

Born: 29/09/84 Caps: 43 Goals: 1

The 1.96 metre tall centre-back earned the nickname “Mr Clean” after not being booked in his first games. Not as commanding in the air as he should be but reads the game well.

Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)

Born: 11/11/83 Caps: 41 Goals: 2

Lahm will be long remembered for scoring the first goal of the last World Cup, when he cut in from the left and blasted home against Costa Rica. That turned him into one of the names of the tournament and he continued to look impressive at left-back, despite being right-footed.

Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin)

Born: 29/05/79 Caps: 57 Goals: 0

The right-sided defender co-authored a cook book before the World Cup with team chef Ralf Zacherl.

Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich)

Born: 04/11/85 Caps: 22 Goals: 1

A tall, quick fullback who was an unknown when Juergen Klinsmann called him up. He has since moved from Borussia Moenchengladbach to Bayern Munich and had a great first season with the Bavarians, so despite stiff competition should be first choice for the left-back role.

Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen)

Born: 07/12/80 Caps: 14 Goals: 2

Made his name at Bayer Leverkusen but after helping them win a Champions League place he suffered a broken leg and missed an entire season as he went through five operations. The move to Werder Bremen proved just the spur he needed and he has since established himself as a dangerous attacking right-back, quick on the ball and eager to get forward as much as possible.

Heiko Westermann (Schalke)

Born: 14/08/83 Caps: 3 Goals: 0

A fearless wing-back in the Champions League this season, cutting in whenever possible and causing trouble with his powerful shot, but has claimed to be more comfortable as a centre-back.

Midfielders

Michael Ballack (Chelsea)

Born: 26/09/76 Caps: 81 Goals: 36

The German captain has proved the doubters wrong after emerging as one of Chelsea's most influential over the second half of this season.

Thomas Hitzlsperger (VFB Stuttgart)

Born: 05/04/82 Caps: 33 Goals: 5

Known as the “Hammer” due to his habit of scoring with long-range blasts, Hitzlsperger was picked as a defender but has matured into an important part of the midfield set-up.

Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen)

Born: 21/01/82 Caps: 10 Goals: 0

An aggressive midfielder who has weighed in with seven league goals for Bayer Leverkusen during another ultra-consistent season.

Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen)

Born: 22/11/76 Caps: 72 Goals: 10

The midfielder won't hold back from making his presence felt, Frings turned down a lucrative move to Juventus to remain at Werder Bremen this season and then came through serious problems and is rediscovering his form.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Born: 01/08/84 Caps: 51 Goals: 13

The German talented midfielder did not quite live up to expectations at the World Cup, when he did not show his best form until the third-place match against Portugal. Combining tricks and a a venomous strike, if he gets it together he will be a real handful.

Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg)

Born: 22/03/84 Caps: 12 Goals: 0

Like Lukas Podolski and Miroslav KloseTrochowski is an attacker of Polish origin. Came through Bayern Munich but was sold off on the cheap to Hamburg, where he has blossomed, benefitting from Rafael van der Vaart.

Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen)

Born 02/05/80 Caps: 31 Goals: 2

A favourite of Klinsmann, the grimacing Borowski will be reunited with his former national team boss when he switches from Werder Bremen to Bayern Munich on a free transfer as from next month. Has great touch and quick wit.

David Odonkor (Real Betis)

Born: 21/02/84 Caps: 15 Goals: 1

A quick attacking midfielder who has twice come back from serious injuries to revive his career. Was a surprise. Has struggled since moving to Real Betis but got the nod from Loew.

Forwards

Mario Gomez (VFB Stuttgart)

Born: 10/07/85 Caps: 10 Goals: 6

Gomez is the sort of forward who makes scoring look simple

Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich)

Born: 09/06/78 Caps: 75 Goals: 39

The top scorer at the last World Cup has been in a bit of a slump over the second half of the season but his record is terrific and Loew will have faith in him. Powerful in the air, Klose also holds the ball up well and has a good pass.

Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke)

Born: 02/03/82 Caps: 47 Goals: 19

Devastated to be left out of the last World Cup squad and it is to his great credit that he managed to pull himself together and once again become important to the team. He is great in the air and a decent passer.

Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich)

Born: 04/06/85 Caps: 48 Goals: 25

At the World Cup he showed strength, pace and assurance in front of goal. Has kept that going, with a remarkable scoring record of better than a goal per two games.

Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Born: 01/05/73 Caps: 68 Goals: 10

A forward who has been brought back into the squad after a good season in the second division with Gladbach.