Official German WM Squad

[The Beautiful Frame]

Now that the first shock abated somewhat, I'm beginning to see some sense here.

Odonkor can't do much but run fast, but that he can do really well. He gives Klinsi another tactical option if we're in a position where we need a really, really fast winger.

Hitzlsperger is certainly not the midfielder of my dreams, but at least he can put some high balls into the box from the left, and I think that's what Klinsmann wants him for.

The one thing I'm still truly shocked about is the inclusion of Hanke. Overrated, average striker coming off a horrible season, and he makes the team!?!

[jonam]

Regarding the second right back, I guess he intends to use Phillip Lahm in that position in case Friedrich is injured or out of form.


Lahm played right back all his life before Magath was in desperate need for a leftback back then in Stuttgart. That's probably what Klinsmann had in mind. And yes, even Schneider, Metzelder, Frings (WC2002) and Odonkor (!) can play there.

[jonam]

So we play with Hitzlsperger and Odonkor, but Mehmet Scholl is not good enough.

Interesting.


Wrong conclusion. Odonkor gives the team more tactical depth....that's at least what Klinsmann's intention is. And somehow I understand him. Most opponent coaches must change tactics to cover Odonkor's runs. Even if he is not really technically sound or a deadly striker (*lol*), he is a weapon somehow.

[The Beautiful Frame]

Lahm played right back all his life before Magath was in desperate need for a leftback back then in Stuttgart. That's probably what Klinsmann had in mind. And yes, even Schneider, Metzelder, Frings (WC2002) and Odonkor (!) can play there.

So our back four could be Lahm - Mertesacker - Huth - Jansen, then? Interesting.

[mofo4life]

tactical depth? What? He won't play a minute in the whole WC!!!

[The Beautiful Frame]

tactical depth? What? He won't play a minute in the whole WC!!!

I'm not sure. He can be used against teams who have a soft spot at leftback. And a lot of teams do.

["Eisenfuß" Eilts]

I am happy, that Odonkor is in,
but i don´t understand, why Hitzlsperger got nominated
and not guys like Scholl or Trochowski
and why Hanke is nominted, althought he isn´t allowed
to play the first two matches, because of his Confed Cup red card.
IMHO Kießling would have been a more clever option.

But we´ll see.

[jonam]

tactical depth? What? He won't play a minute in the whole WC!!!


Wanna bet?

[herewego]

I am happy, that Odonkor is in,
but i don´t understand, why Hitzlsperger got nominated
and not guys like Scholl or Trochowski
and why Hanke is nominted, althought he isn´t allowed
to play the first two matches, because of his Confed Cup red card.
IMHO Kießling would have been a more clever option.

But we´ll see.

Hitz is the classic utility player, he will not get much playing time as long as not 3 or more midfielders are injured or outbooked.

But instead of a Scholl or Trochowski he is versatile, could play left mid and centermid, as well as leftback.
And he is a left foot, something that is not very common in the german team.

Odonkor is kind of a secret weapon, he is simply one of the fastest footballers in the world. He is shurely not complete yet, but passing and dribbling you can train, speed is a birth given gift.
Even if Odonkor´s crosses are not coming at every try, the opponents rightback will be bound in defense, you cannot go upfront against Odonkor, because you will not reach him if you behind him.

And Hanke in the attack makes sence for me too. Poldi and Klose will be our first forwards, if they not injure or get booked out, they will start every game.

The other strikers, Asamoah and Neuville are playing more hanging, are kind of semi midfielders or wingers.

So one target man striker is needed as a sub. That could have been Kuranyi, but he played out of form the whole reason.

So the decision could have been between Hanke and Kiesling. And Klinsmann might have gone for the power and sharpness of Hanke. You could bring him in if 10 minutes to go and a goal needed. He will box away any defender without fear.

[herewego]

Just read on the BvB site, that Odonkor played 33 of 34 games and hits by far the most crossesin the whole Bundesliga. Odonkor played 225 crosses, second in Bundesliga was Gronkjaer with 115.

[smithfan]

+ Kuranyi out
+ Sebastian Kehl in
+ Neuville in (we have no other option!)
+ Ernst out - best decision! ;)

- Hitzlsperger in (wtf? We have players like Trochowski or even Meier!)
- Owomoyela out
- Hanke in !? :rolleyes: - What about Kießling? He's much better than Hanke!

[The Beautiful Frame]

- Hitzlsperger in (wtf? We have players like Trochowski or even Meier!)

Forget Meier. He's a good player with a lot of potential, but he's exhausted. He's been running on empty batteries recently, as any Eintracht fan will tell you. Definitely one for the future, but not for now.

[smithfan]

Forget Meier. He's a good player with a lot of potential, but he's exhausted. He's been running on empty batteries recently, as any Eintracht fan will tell you. Definitely one for the future, but not for now.

yeah I actually agree, but I still think that he would still be better than HITZLSPERGER even with his current form. :D

[Bayerntone]

Nobody will stand out a worse decision than the selection of Huth and Hitzlsperger. Man, it seems that Klinsi has a long addiction to the "opium" import, even smelling a tiny trace of the smoke will make him ectastic.:(

[Duncan Idaho]

Oh my god was my first thought as I saw the squad for the World Cup. My second was: Hahaha Mr. Klinsmann, good joke!

I'll name the players that are in my opinion absolutely the wrong choices:

- Nowotny
- Hitzlsperger
- Schneider
- Hanke
- Asamoah
- Neuville


Odonkor is surely a surprise, but his nomination is ok.

[Psychosis hsv]

wow, may be kaiser is right DFB should start looking for another coach. friedrich as the lone right back!

[Cazlon]

Friedrich, Lahm and Schneider all can play right fullback and did so for extended periods of time. So all you Klinsmann bashers maybe go and get homework done first :rolleyes:

There are only two positions on the squad i'd change:

1. Hanke. Poor season, can't play the first two matches because of stupidity and gets rewarded with a WC spot ? Huh ? Kiessling woulda been the better choice.

2. Manuel Friedrich should replace either Nowotny, Metzelder, or Huth. Don't really care which one, at the moment they are equally bad.

[MKO|||]

No Owomoyela and Kuranyi?! But they´re in all the commercials! :eek:

Sereously, i´m quite sure Klinsmann knows what he does but why is Manuel Friedrich from Mainz not there? I thought he was the best german devensive player the last season.
Oh and how did Hanke qualifie for the sqad?

[Neutral2]

Good desicions of Klinsmann overall. Some people should stop overrating the players that play in their favortie teams ffs.

Only points in which u can critsize Klinsmann is:

1.Hitzlsperger
2.Hanke

[Psychosis hsv]

Friedrich, Lahm and Schneider all can play right fullback and did so for extended periods of time. So all you Klinsmann bashers maybe go and get homework done first :rolleyes:

There are only two positions on the squad i'd change:

1. Hanke. Poor season, can't play the first two matches because of stupidity and gets rewarded with a WC spot ? Huh ? Kiessling woulda been the better choice.

2. Manuel Friedrich should replace either Nowotny, Metzelder, or Huth. Don't really care which one, at the moment they are equally bad.
in which particular match did Lahm play as a right back? just curious