Germany

An everpresent on the big occasion

The German national soccer team poses 25 June 2002 at the Seoul World Cup stadium before their semi-final match of the 2002 FIFA World Cup against South Korea (top from L: midfileder Dietmar Hamann, forward Marco Bode, midfielder Michael Ballack, defender Christoph Metzelder, defender Thomas Linke; bottom from L: midfielder Carsten Ramelow, midfielder Bernd Schneider, forward Miroslav Klose, midfielder Torsten Frings and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn). AFP PHOTO - Jacques DEMARTHON

Mighty Germany have both a trio of World And European titles to their name and will be an everpresent yet again at Euro 2004, just two years ahead of the next World Cup which they will host for the second time.

Unlike their qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup when they were forced to negotiate the play-offs before going on the reach the final in Asia, they were solid in qualifying for Portugal and won their group albeit courtesy of a last match, 3-0 win over Iceland.

However Rudi Voller's team were forced to battle all the way for their Euro ticket by a stubborn Scotland outfit ironically guided by former German great Berti Vogts, although they did finish qualifying unbeaten.

A disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Lithuania and another setback in Iceland where they were held to a scoreless draw added some drama to Germany's qualification although they proved yet again they can pull a victory out of the hat when it really matters.

A series of injuries forced Voller to experiment with new players and it was the depth of talent in Germany that proved decisive.

"It was an incredible experience (....), and improved the youngsters," said Voller who won a World Cup as a player in 1990, describing such inexperienced internationals such as Kevin Kuranyi and Andreas Hinkel (both Stuttgart) or Benjamin Lauth (1860 Munich).

A Bayern-Bayer backbone

Few would argue that Germany landed a nightmare draw for the group stage of the Euro 2004 finals coming out of the hat in Group D alongside two of the pre-tournament favourites Holland and the Czech Republic.

It could play into Germany's hands that they are currently considered an average side, but they and Group D minnows Latvia both face a mountain to climb.

The Czech Republic will be seeking revenge for their Euro96 final defeat to Germany, while their opener against Holland in Porto on June 15 should be the key to Voller's attempt to re-establish Germany's reputation.

Following the 2002 World Cup where only Brazil stood between Germany and a fourth title, Voller has stuck with similar tactics (3-5-2) with Michael Ballack of Bayern Munich running the show in midfield.

In fact Bayern provide a handful of players that form the national backbone including Oliver Kahn in goal, experienced campaigner Jens Jeremies while young talent Sebastian Deisler has however been suffering depression despite performing brilliantly at club level.

Bayer Leverkusen are another team providing valuable resources to the Mannschaft and Carsten Ramelow, Bernd Scheider or Olivier Neuville are regularly found wearing the familiar white and black coulours of Germany.

Factfile on Germany

Population

82.2 million

Area

357,000 sq. km

Capital

Berlin

Currency

Euro

Federation

Deutscher Fussball-Bund (German football federation) founded January 28, 1900

Affiliated to FIFA

1904

Affiliated to UEFA

1954

Registered players

6.274 million

Colours

White shirts, black shorts, white socks

Top clubs

Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, VfB Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen

World Cup appearances

15 (1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)

World Cup honours

Winner (1954, 1974, 1990), Finalist (1966, 1982, 1986, 2002), Third-place (1934, 1970), Semi-finalists (1958), Quarter-finalists (1962, 1994, 1998), Second-round (1978)

European Championship appearances

9 (1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004)

European Championship honours

Winner (1972, 1980, 1996), Finalist (1976, 1992), Semi-finalists (1988)

How they qualified

Finished top of Group 5 with 18 points (5 wins, 3 draws, 0 defeats, 13 goals for, 4 against) ahead of Scotland (14 pts), Iceland (13pts), Lithuania (4pts) and Faroe Islands (1)

Key players

Oliver Kahn, Michael Ballack, Carsten Ramelow, Bernd Schneider, Oliver Neuville

Coach

Rudi Voller