Germany squad
Goalkeepers
Rene ADLER
15.01.85
Bayer Leverkusen
0 caps
Rated by many as the best keeper in Germany at the moment. Has sensational reflexes, is incredibly brave and has lots of maturity for his age. Mother Kirstin used to play in goal for an amateur team.
Jens LEHMANN
10.11.69
Arsenal (Eng)
53 caps (0 goals)
Had a fine World Cup in 2006 after getting the nod over Oliver Kahn and is still No 1 despite rarely featuring for Arsenal this season. Tends to lose his composure when the going gets physical.
Defenders
Arne FRIEDRICH
29.05.79
Hertha Berlin
56 caps (0 goals)
First-choice right-back at the last World Cup but likely to be only a substitute this time, providing cover at full-back and central defence. Athletic, strong and quick but lacks refinement on the ball.
Clemens FRITZ
07.12.80
Werder Bremen
12 caps (2 goals)
The eastern German began his career as a striker but is now established as a perpetual-motion right-back or right-sided midfielder. Electrifying going forward but defensively a little naive.
Marcell JANSEN
04.11.85
Bayern Munich
21 caps (1 goal)
If Lahm is used at right-back, the lanky youngster could start on the opposite side. Attacks with purpose, energy and skill but his defensive game still needs some polish.
Philipp LAHM
11.11.83
Bayern Munich
39 caps (2 goals)
The diminutive player is equally at home at right-back or left-back and is especially good going forward, strong in his combination play and has dribbling skills. But his standards have slipped of late.
Per MERTESACKER
29.09.84
Werder Bremen
41 caps (1 goal)
Germany would badly miss the gangling centre-back’s quiet efficiency, strength in the air and timely interventions on the ground. A distinguishing feature is his desire to play by the rules.
Christoph METZELDER
05.11.80
Real Madrid (Spa)
39 caps (0 goals)
Cultured central defender who has developed a fine understanding with Mertesacker but is short of match practice – he has mainly been a sub at Madrid, whom he joined from Dortmund last year.
Heiko WESTERMANN
14.08.83
Schalke
2 caps (0 goals)
Utility defender who has been a revelation since joining Schalke from Bielefeld last summer. Raw-boned and tenacious, he can play in either full-back position or centrally.
Midfielders
Michael BALLACK
26.09.76
Chelsea (Eng)
79 caps (35 goals)
The elegant skipper is a major goal threat and a mean organiser for the national team. Returned to action for Chelsea mid-season after nine months out with an ankle complaint.
Tim BOROWSKI
02.05.80
(Werder Bremen/Bayern Munich from 1.07.2008)
31 caps (2 goals)
Has great touch and if he can find his form, he should add creativity which the team will lack now Bernd Schneider has been ruled out through injury.
Torsten FRINGS
22.11.76
Werder Bremen
70 caps (10 goals)
The central midfield warrior missed the first seven months of the season with knee ligament trouble but looked as forceful as ever on his comeback. Often a rallying point for the national team.
Thomas HITZLSPERGER
05.04.82
Stuttgart
32 caps (5 goals)
The former Bayern Munich and Aston Villa man performed excellently for Germany during Frings’ injury absence. Robust, has a great left-foot shot and his distribution is much improved.
Joachim STANDFEST
30.05.80
Austria Wien
29 caps (2 goals)
Aptly named since “standfest” is the German for reliable – he is consistent and misses few games. Quick and technically skilled but a bit lightweight.
David ODONKOR
21.02.84;
Real Betis (Spa);
13 caps (1 goal)
The speedy winger, brought in as a wild card for the last World Cup, guarantees impact from the bench.
Bastian SCHWEINSTEIGER
01.08.84
Bayern Munich
49 caps (13 goals)
Usually employed on the left flank but has the touch, stamina and awareness to fill a variety of midfield roles. Still a key figure for the national team despite rarely starting for Bayern this term.
Piotr TROCHOWSKI
22.03.84
Hamburg
11 caps (0 goals)
Tiny left-sided playmaker likely to be Schweinsteiger’s deputy. Has much vision and trickery but is not very consistent. Has made progress at hometown club Hamburg after failing to make it at Bayern.
Forwards
Mario GOMEZ
10.07.85
Stuttgart
9 caps (6 goals)
In-form striker voted Germany’s player of the year for 2007 and now a good bet to start at Euro 2008. Powerfully built, opportunistic and extremely modest. Has a Spanish father.
Miroslav KLOSE
09.06.78
Bayern Munich
74 caps (38 goals)
Has not been fully firing for Bayern lately but is still a first-choice for Germany. The Poland-born forward is very mobile, an aerial threat and links the play well.
Kevin KURANYI
02.03.82
Schalke
46 caps (19 goals)
Tall, angular front man now back in favour after being left out of the 2006 World Cup. Extra work on his aerial game has paid off and he leads the line with much presence.
Oliver NEUVILLE
01.05.73
Borussia Monchengladbach
67 caps (9 goals)
Brought back into the squad after a good season in the second division with Gladbach. Unlikely to start any games, but his busy style means he could cause problems for tiring defences.
Lukas PODOLSKI
04.06.85
Bayern Munich
46 caps (25 goals)
The Poland-born forward has lost his starting place because of a lack of playing time at Bayern. But he loves the big occasion and could well prove a supersub with his explosive shooting and direct style.
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