Germany: World Cup player by player

The Germans have a great tournament record that has slipped a bit recently.

GOALKEEPERS

OLIVER KAHN

German goalkeeper bought by Bayern Munich for a £2 million record fee from Karlsruhe. A certain starter but prone to errors and strange judgement at times. Acrobatic saves can sometimes be needed if he gets positional play wrong. Good at stopping shots and has eliminated errors from his game. Germany's key player.

HANS-JORG BUTT

In the 1998-99 Bundesliga season Tony Yeboah was the top scorer for Hamburg SV but the next highest goal getter for the port city club was goalkeeper Butt. He scored seven times in that campaign as the club's regular penalty taker. It is unlikely that Butt will be involved in a penalty shoot out at the World Cup but if he does then it should prove very entertaining. A very confident goalkeeper who is possibly the most skilful in the world with his feet and also shows great handling ability and confident domination of his penalty area.

JENS LEHMANN

The second choice goalkeeper if Oliver Kahn cannot play, Lehmann was the subject of significant abuse in a short spell after the last World Cup with AC Milan. He was blamed for decisive errors in his first few matches for the Italian giants and was dumped back into the Bundesliga after one season. Lehmann rebuilt his career with Borussia Dortmund and helped them to win the Bundesliga this season. A technically superior goalkeeper to the marauding Kahn but the Bayern star is the preferred choice of coach Voller.

DEFENDERS

SEBASTIAN KEHL

One of the future stars of German football, Kehl has just helped Dortmund to the title and he is an excellent sweeper who can also be used in midfield. He attacks very well from midfield and could have a great tournament if he features regularly.

CHRISTOPH METZELDER

A young centre back who has emerged as a future star for the German national team but may not start games at the World Cup finals after a tiring championship season. Good on the ball and a fine tackler, Metzelder has confidence but can be caught out positionally and is not very physically dominant.

MARKO REHMER

Rehmer can be used as a specialist man marker if coach Voller chooses to play that system. In that event he becomes a first choice but is otherwise a squad player to cover for other defenders. A former Hansa Rostock player, Rehmer had a serious knee injury last year but is a good technical defender to have in contention.

FRANK BAUMANN

Replaces the injured Christian Worns and his technical standard is higher than the older man's. He can score from corners and free kicks with his head but his smooth defensive style and good use of the ball has made the loss of Marcus Babbel a bit more bearable for coach Voller.

THOMAS LINKE

Part of a three man defence at the start of his German career. His physical and mobile skill combines well with the senior pair and on form this defensive trio could be a major factor in any German success at the finals. Linke plays a simple game of basic defensive strategy and is good at it providing the muscle where his partners at the back can use the ball in a more inventive fashion.

CHRISTIAN ZIEGE

A marauding wing-back who is recovering from the early traumas of a move to a then-ailing AC Milan side. Fast and with two good feet, Ziege looks more assured for the national side after settling in with Tottenham where he has been in excellent form with a poor team.

CHRISTIAN WORNS

After playing during seven years for Bayern Leverkusen, Worns had a spell with Paris Saint-Germain but then returned to Germany to help Dortmund win this season's Bundesliga. He is a strong, but not very fast, wing-back. Though it is not very probable that he will be in the first team, he will surely be given a chance to play.

JORGE HEINRICH

The Borussia Dortmund player seems to have finally blossomed, this season he has rebuilt a career with the national team. He is a powerful left-wing raider able to pass accurately. He is not one of Voller's favourites and so he will have to make a big effort to prove to the coach that he can be better than the popular if unhappy Ziege.

MIDFIELDERS

MICHAEL BALLACK

Bayer Leverkusen star who has just finished his best Bundesliga season yet and capped it with a move to Bayern for next season. He can run and chase but also has creative elements in his passing. He is expected to be a world star and is rated in the 'superclassic' class by coach Voller. Has the burden of directing all Germany's creative play which may break him.

MARKO REHMER

Rehmer can be used as a specialist man marker if coach Voller chooses to play that system. In that event he becomes a first choice but is otherwise a squad player to cover for other defenders. A former Hansa Rostock player, Rehmer had a serious knee injury last year but is a good technical defender to have in contention.

CARSTEN RAMELOW

Ramelow's game is based on running and stamina and he can contribute to Leverkusen all over the pitch. His dynamic style has not found a real place in Voller's plans and he may be only seen rarely as a substitute in June. He is a defensive midfielder by trade but his energy and effort can see him appear in attack.

DIETMAR HAMANN

This 28 year old midfielder is a midfield master coveted by both Madrid and Juventus. At Anfield he has not had a spectacular season for the club but he should be starting on the right side of midfield for Voller and his link play and ball-winning are essential at club and international level. Powerful midfield runner and good team player.

BERND SCHNEIDER

Wide player whose great season for Bayer Leverkusen has sparked interest from Juventus. Busy style and a good shot add the finer touches to a hard-running game more eye-catching team mates such as Michael Ballack rely on.

TORSTEN FRINGS

Workmanlike midfielder who can cover for injuries across the field although has a rather limited one-paced game based on ball-winning and little else.

JENS JEREMIES

A move across Munich in 1998 to Bayern gave Jeremies the chance to build a consistent game that has helped his team to three championships and the Champions League last year. One of Germany's best players at the last World Cup he saw last season all but wrecked by injury but is now back to fitness if not his top form.

STRIKERS

MIROSLAV KLOSE

One of the bright young hopes of the German attack and a very mobile striker whose can physically hold off challenges very well. Excellent finisher but the German attack may not be able to create enough chances to get him clear on goal but he improvises very well.

GERALD ASAMOAH

Born in Ghana, Asamoah is often used as a substitute for his speed and power but his excellent club form for Schalke 04 does not always translate to Voller's team. He can also be used as a right winger.

OLIVER NEUVILLE

A short but effective striker who has enjoyed a great season for Bayer Leverkusen. He may be depressed by Bayer's last ditch failure to hold off the challenge of Dortmund but he has a place in Voller's plans as a right winger and is likely to start the group matches for Germany. A good touch on the ball and the ability to find space mark him out as a good striker but his strike rate for the national team needs to be improved.

OLIVER BIERHOFF

Years of experience for Udinese and AC Milan in Serie A where he had a good record came to an end last year with a move to Monaco. A great target for passes from the back he can hold the ball up for his team and meet crosses in the box. An excellent header of the ball, Bierhoff will lead the line for Germany with one other striker. Hits the ball on target and makes the keeper save the shot but most of his efforts come from close range. He takes penalties for the team but may now be too slow and one-paced to make a real difference.

MARCO BODE

A left back who can also play in attack and this versatility is added to by extensive midfield experience in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen. This is his principle attraction when selecting a tournament squad and his scoring record for Germany is good for defender considering he is rarely a first choice. He can also be used as an attacker.

CARSTEN JANCKER

Uncomplicated bullish centre forward whose physical presence can win chances for Bayern Munich by itself. Whether it proves a success at this much higher level where chances are much fewer remains to be seen. A former East German citizen who works hard at his game and fitness and who is a certain choice for Bayern despite their array of ball-playing talent. Voller is also likely to pick him at the finals but he is not a regular member of the team and was recently wanted by Galatasary before Bayern refused their offer.