World Cup Preview - Group A - Germany

Germany

Nickname: Der Mannschafft.

Coach: Former great Jurgen Klinsmann.

Game Schedule:
June 9 – Germany vs. Costa Rica (12 p.m. EST)
June 14 – Germany vs. Poland (3 p.m.)
June 20 – Germany vs. Ecuador (10 a.m.)

Prospects: The key phrase to repeat during this tournament is “never write off The Germans.” It’s true that they haven’t had a quality side in more than twenty years, and yet….Possessed with the most resilient tournament
mentalities, the Germans seem to wand themselves into the latter stages –
as they did four years ago – without playing terribly well. Their main
strengths are still organizational, particularly in the midfield area where
Michael Ballack is king. Their weakness remains lacking a cutting edge
up front where they’re still relying on the underwhelming decidedly
un-German likes of Miroslav Klose, Kevin Kuranyi and Gerald Asamoah.
Klinsmann is playing his cards close to his chest, not announcing his final
squad until May 15th, but his options upfront are limited. Still, they are the tournament hosts and...repeat key phrase.

Big Media Story: Who will play in goal – Arsenal’s mad hatter Jens Lehmann or Bayern stalwart Oliver Kahn?

Key Player: Chelsea-bound midfield maestro Michael Ballack.

Youngster to watch: 20-year old Cologne wunderkind Lukas Podolski. He and Bastian Schweinsteiger could bring much-needed spark up front.

Who Will Get the Goals: Ballack. Set pieces might prove fruitful for the Germans.

Who Will Get the Cards: Chelsea bench warmer Robert Huth.

Funniest Name: Schweinsteiger, whose name means “pig riser” in English.
Per Mertesacker isn’t bad either. Also Torsten Frings. Let’s face
it – German is a hilarious language!

Prediction: Knocked out in humiliating fashion after a reasonably comfortable Group stage by the old enemy England in The Round of Sixteen.

~Bob