Three-time Soccer World Cup winners Germany are perennial favourites at the tournament, and will come to South Africa with high expectations.
After triumphing in Switzerland in 1954, on home soil in 1974 and in Italy in 1990, the team now coached by Joachim Low are aiming to win the most prestigious trophy in the world’s favourite sport for the fourth time.
The road to South Africa
Clinical efficiency and unbending resolve were the hallmarks as Low’s men marched to first place in European qualifying Group 4. The Germans only dropped points in their meetings with Finland — but left Wales, Azerbaijan, Lichtenstein and Russia in their wake.
Star players
Chelsea midfielder, Michael Ballack, ranks as the undisputed leader of the team. The captain has earned 97 senior caps to date and is determined to lead his men to a major trophy after falling at the final hurdle in 2002 and at Euro 2008. The strike force of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski is one of the most potent in world soccer.
The coach
When he first took the job Low named winning Euro 2008 and continuing former coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s attacking philosophy as his primary goals. Neither target has been fully hit, but the coach has earned respect for his calm, knowledgeable and meticulous manner.
Facts
- Germany have won the World Cup three times (1954, 1974 and 1990), a figure bettered only by Brazil (5) and Italy (4).
- Apart from the 1930 and 1950 tournaments, which they did not enter because of political and economic reasons, Germany have contested every World Cup finals.
- Germany have reached the finals of the competition seven times, a record they share with Brazil.
- Germany have contested four penalty shoot-outs at the World Cup finals, winning all of them. — Fifa