Germany - NEWS thread

[Jager]

I think France, Italy and Germany as all equals.

Very tough teams, that are strong though out their lineups.

Slight edge to the latter two for having more depth, but Germany's starting eleven is just deadly with power.

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Originally Posted by Jager

I think France, Italy and Germany as all equals.

Very tough teams, that are strong though out their lineups.

Slight edge to the latter two for having more depth, but Germany's starting eleven is just deadly with power.

Very much agreed.

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With 159 days to go until Germany start their Euro 2008 campaign against Poland, trainer Joachim Löw has revealed his preparations have already begun and that he has a ‘master plan’ for glory.

“There is already a master-plan for Euro 2008” he revealed. “With the Confederations Cup in 2005 and the World Cup in 2006 we have experience of how to prepare a team for D-Day.”

Germany will be gunning for their fourth European Championship title after wins in 1972, 1980, and 1996 and the Bundestrainer is looking forward to the 2008 tournament which gets underway on June 7th.

“A tournament is for players and trainers the measure of all things. A European Championships or a World Cup is like nothing else” he explained.

Since the draw, which pitted Germany with Poland, Croatia, and co-hosts Austria, the 47 year old trainer has been busying himself along with his staff preparing for the competition.

“We want to prepare like European Champions” he said. “We will sit down and plan everything down to the smallest detail.”

Löw also revealed that he would be making contact with some of his influential, but injured stars in the coming weeks to determine their condition.

“We hope that important players like Torsten Frings, Michael Ballack and Bernd Schneider will be able to get in some playing time.”

Germany has arranged four warm-up games before the finals against Austria (Feb 6), Switzerland (Mar 26), Belarus (Mai 27) and Serbia (May 31).

Goal.com - Germany - Löw Has A Master Plan For Euro Glory

[puff-puff]

France and Italy were'nt playing their best in qualification. Both was in our group (Lithuania, I mean by "our"), and tbh, even if we are poor in playing football, they had some hard time.

[Vargas_4]

German national team trainer Joachim Löw has admitted he is struggling to slim down his squad, claiming he has "35 to 40 players" in mind for the European Championship Finals in the summer.

Löw is set to announce his squad on Thursday for Germany's first international friendly of 2008 against Austria in Vienna on February 6.

That fixture is one of four Germany will play before their opening Euro 2008 group fixture against Poland at the finals.

However the Bundestrainer has just two matches before he has to select a squad of 23 players for a two-week pre-competition training camp in Mallorca, which will start on May 19th.

"We will name a few players on standby and they should keep themselves fit in case they are needed" Löw told the German FA website.

"The European Championship is the hardest tournament in the world. It is important to get the team up to the best standard before it begins. We have prepared an individual program for every single potential player.

"Only if we are in the best of conditions going into the tournament, can we expect to beat every team we face" he added.

He also revealed that the final squad would be made public immediately before the final round of Bundesliga fixtures on May 17.

[Vargas_4]

Former Germany international player and coach Franz Beckenbauer has tipped his country to prevail over Austria in this week's friendly in Vienna. He also discussed Michael Ballack, the striking situation and underperforming stars.

They may be facing each other in the group stages at Euro 2008, but Wednesday night will see neighbours Germany and Austria do battle in a friendly in Vienna.

German football legend Franz Beckenbauer, writing in Bild, looked forward to the game. "I reckon it will be 2-1 to us," said the Kaiser, confident of an away win in Austria.

"Neither German manager Joachim Löw or his Austrian counterpart (Josef) Hickersberger will give too much away tactically, because they're meeting again in five months time at the European Championships."

Bayern's Disappointments

Commenting on the players, Beckenbauer hoped that three of the stars of 2006, Lukas Podolski, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm, would once again begin to deliver.

"A year-and-a-half ago they were hailed as World Cup heroes," commented the Kaiser of the trio. "Since then all three have seen a drop in their performances (at club level).

"That may be for psychological reasons," he continued of the Bayern stars. "They're not playing regularly in the league. They've shone more at international level than for their club. I hope at the European Championships they can replicate their form of the World Cup, added, saying this Wednesday's game "would be a good opportunity to make a fresh start."

Ballack's Back

On the subject of captain Michael Ballack, who is finally ready to return to the international fray after months out with injury, Beckenbauer was extremely positive.

"Ballack is a player who gives it 100 percent. If he's picked he'll give it his all, especially after eleven months out on the sidelines. We got to the European Championships without Ballack in the end, but we need him for the tournament itself," stressed Beckenbauer. "We also need Frings and Schneider if we're seriously going to challenge for the title."

Kuranyi Gets The Nod

On the subject of forwards, opinions are divided as to who would be the best bet to partner Miroslav Klose up front. Schalke's Kevin Kuranyi and Stuttgart's Mario Gomez are the favourites, and Beckenbauer believes they have something to offer Germany.

"With Kuranyi and Gomez Jogi Löw has two equally-matched options," he opined. "Nevertheless, I think Kuranyi suits Klose slightly more. He's more flexible and a better runner. With goalscorers current form is especially important," added the Kaiser of Kuranyi, who notched twice at the weekend at home to Stuttgart. "But the manager is the one who can judge that best."

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Totally agreed on criticision of Poldi, Schweini and Lahm. It really sucks.

I also like his opinion on the attack duo, with Kuranyi partnering Klose.

[Vargas_4]

Germany coach Joachim Loew will announce his 23-man squad for Euro 2008 on May 16th - from a restaurant at the top of the country's highest mountain

The DFB's decision to make the announcement from the restaurant at the summit of the Zugspitze, Germany's tallest mountain, reflects its location on the border with Austria, who of course are Euro 2008's joint hosts.

"We wanted to give the selection location some geographical significance with Austria and Switzerland, the two nations hosting the event," said Germany's team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

The three times European champions have been drawn in Group B with Austria, Poland and Croatia. Loew recently said that around 40 players were still in the running for the coveted 23 spots in the German team.

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Lol, cool.

[USBayernMunichFan]

Final team will be interesting!

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Former Germany international Gunter Netzer feels the Germany national team has taken a step backwards since the end of the 2006 World Cup.

He has warned expectations should not be too high ahead of Euro 2008, where Germany will start out as one of the favourites.

"The performances of the national team and the players are not the same as those in the last few years," he said via his column in the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

"We would be deceiving ourselves by believing that everything will just slot into place.

"We need to be highly vigilant."

Writing in the same newspaper, former Germany midfielder Stefan Effenberg claimed that the national team "is being overestimated".

"You can not always hope that Germany come into their own in a major tournament," he added.

"It was more than a clear signal that we only came second in our qualifying group."

Germany have been drawn in Group B with Poland, Croatia and co-hosts Austria.

SportingLife.com

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German captain Michael Ballack has warned his team mates not to take the upcoming European Championships as a walk in the park, or rely too heavily on their reputation gained from the World Cup.

The Chelsea midfielder, who is back to his best after a troublesome period of injury earlier in the season, believes the national squad are in a good position, but cannot afford to take this summer’s tournament lightly.

“We are on the right path, but now we have to reproduce the top performances we were last year” Ballack said.

“This is a new tournament, which is probably the toughest there is. Reputations won at the World Cup count for nothing now” he added.

Germany take on co-hosts Switzerland on Wednesday looking for a win and a good performance in what is their last friendly before trainer Joachim Löw names his final squad for the summer’s tournament.

“We need to play well against a very strong opponent” Ballack explained.

“They’ll have home advantage and will be a tougher prospect than Austria.”

Above all the German captain wants to finally put to bed all the euphoria of the 2006 World Cup.

“The back slapping after the third-place success has to be forgotten. That time has passed. You have to ask yourself who actually won the 2006 World Cup?

“It is not enough to just say: “I was there at the World Cup when we were third.”

Goal.com - Germany - Ballack: World Cup Counts For Nothing

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German national team general manager Oliver Bierhoff is convinced that captain Michael Ballack will be one of the star performers at this summer’s European Championships.

Ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against close neighbours Switzerland, the former international striker says he believes Ballack will shine during the Euro 2008 tournament in Austria/ Switzerland.

"The European Championships are going to be a big tournament for Ballack" Bierhoff said.

"I am convinced that he will lead the team well as captain and leave his mark on Euro 2008.

"He is in very good form and is very decisive. Chelsea have helped him mature further and move out of the comfort zone he was partly in in Germany."

The Chelsea midfielder was a key man in the German side that finished second at the World Cup in Korea/ Japan in 2006, and then third at the last World Cup held in Germany.

He too is confident of success this summer, but is also well aware of the limitations on his country.

"We don't have the same selection of players as other nations do" he said.

"Therefore, we need to have a top-fit and settled national team to reach our goal.

"This is the last big chance for every nation to show what their intentions are and the public and other nations are going to take note of this" he added.

"Two years ago at practically the same time, a 4-1 defeat in Italy put everything in doubt before the 2006 World Cup.

"With a win, we can underline our ambitions and that is why it is important we play well."

Goal.com - Germany - Bierhoff: Ballack Will Shine At Euro 2008

[Vargas_4]

Former Germany and Milan star Oliver Bierhoff says that France, Italy and Germany are the favourites for Euro 2008, and hopes that the latter two will contest the final.

Bierhoff is most famous at international level for his heroics at Euro 96’, when he came off the bench in the final, with Germany trailing 1-0 to the Czech Republic, to score twice to lead his side to glory.

The 39-year-old, who also had an excellent Serie A career, is now part of the German management team, and he has given his views ahead of Euro 2008.

"We are among the favorites, but not number one,” said Bierhoff.

“Italy and France are among the pretenders just as much as we are. The credit that we have got is because of our early qualification, and the fact that this group, which finished third in the World Cup, has made some improvements.

"Italy and France have champions who perform in the big games. The Azzurri are not always brilliant but they use their tactics, experience and determination until the 120th minute.

“I hope for a Germany-Italy final.”

Bierhoff had a prolific record for Germany, and is the fifth top-scorer in the country’s history with 37 goals in just 70 appearances.

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Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Bierhoff: France, Italy & Germany The Favourites

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VOGTS BACKS GERMANY FOR GLORY

Former national team coach Berti Vogts has backed Germany to win Euro 2008.

The 61-year-old, who was appointed coach of Azerbaijan this month after quitting as Nigeria boss in the wake of their African Nations Cup exit, believes Joachim Low's side have what it takes to go all the way in Austria and Switzerland.

Speaking about being drawn in the same qualifying group as Germany for the 2010 World Cup, Vogts told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung: "I think that when we face Germany in qualification we will be playing against the Euro 2008 champions."

Vogts was in charge of Germany the last time they won a European Championship match - the final in 1996 against Czech Republic.

SportingLife.com