Official German WM Squad

[SirManchester]

Kuranyi not in the WC, That is the worst mistake klinnsmann has done, he is a talented forward who does good in NT.

sorry but I couldn't disagree more here. The guy misses chances like no other and has an incredible indifference about him. All this and he's inconsistent and simply unreliable for this kind of competition.

[The Beautiful Frame]

sorry but I couldn't disagree more here. The guy misses chances like no other and has an incredible indifference about him. All this and he's inconsistent and simply unreliable for this kind of competition.

IMO Kuranyi is a solid, but overall average BL striker. But still I'm surprised that Klinsmann would take Neuville and Hanke over Nutella-Kevin. Kuranyi's NT record is quite solid after all.

I think this might have to do with physical fitness. I heard that the Schalke players were simply exhausted. Maybe Klinsmann didn't like the results of Kevin's fitness tests.

[ForeverRed]

Klinsman is an idiot in many senses but I'm glad he took a risk by picking Odonkor...might just pay off.

He should have picked Trochowski instead of Hitzlsperger though, Hitzlsperger won't even get any playing time and Trochowski is a much better player to bring on to make an impact.

I've got nothing agaisnt him picking Hanke, it really doesn't matter that he's not playing the first two games, there are four other strikers available and I doub't they'll all get injured. Plus, Hanke is a much more dangerous player with a better striker's instinct than Kuranyi.

I don't know what Klinsman will do if Friedrich and/or Lahm are out because he'll have to resort to some real risky and stupid tactics like Hitzlsperger at LB which would just be disasterous.

[Lewie]

Who is on the standby list?

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Theres already a thread on this....

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=353051

[SirManchester]

IMO Kuranyi is a solid, but overall average BL striker. But still I'm surprised that Klinsmann would take Neuville and Hanke over Nutella-Kevin. Kuranyi's NT record is quite solid after all.

I think this might have to do with physical fitness. I heard that the Schalke players were simply exhausted. Maybe Klinsmann didn't like the results of Kevin's fitness tests.

When you compare him to Asamoa and Neuville, it's evident he clearly lacks the experience and he simply has no presence (Asamoah) and can't turn the game quickly (Neuville). I'm not too surprised or pissed that Neuville was included, he did have a good season and made an impressive comeback against the Yanks. Now, Kuranyi is a better striker than Asamoah but as I mentioned, he lacks the size, the presence and the fight that is much needed in a tournament of this magnitude.

Ultimately I don't think Kuranyi will be missed, not with Hanke back.

[Memento]

I see there are no creative players who can change things. No Trochowski ,no Scholl.

Start praying that Hitzlperger and some others get injured,so that Klinsman has to be forced to change some things ,or it could be a problem.

[ForeverRed]

I see there are no creative players who can change things. No Trochowski ,no Scholl.

Start praying that Hitzlperger and some others get injured,so that Klinsman has to be forced to change some things ,or it could be a problem.

Even if that is the case, Scholl and Piotr aren't even on the stand by list...plus Trochowski is playing in the U-21 tournament.

Klinsi pretty much shot himself in the foot with this one.

I don't wanna look too far ahead or turn skeptic but I fear a lot of criticism given a bad WC performance about his selection.

[Alex_K]

I had Hitzlsperger in my Kicker manager team (not sure if it was regular or interactive) - BIG mistake, let me tell ya... and now he'll go to the WC as a reward? Life sucks...

[JeffS]

On the surprise and/or controversial selections:

Odonkor - inspired. Awhile back, I predicted that Odonkor would be selected for the German nats, due to his blazing speed and non-stop energy. He won't start, but will come on half way through the second half of games if the German attack is listless. Sure, Odonkor lacks touch and he's very raw. A guy like Odonkor could really shake things up.

Hitzelsperger - He was selected both for his left foot and his versatility. He's got a solid left foot, something somewhat lacking on the German nats at the moment. Also, Hitz can play left back, left mid, and center mid. He had a somewhat mediocre seasn for Stuttgart this season, but was considered a rising star at Aston Villa. I think Hitzelsperger is a solid choice.

Hanke - Contrary to many posters on this thread, I'm rather high on Hanke's ability. Sure, he probably had a dissappointing overall season for Wolfsburg. But we're talking about Worfsburg here, which almost got relegated. In spite of that, everytime I saw Wolfsburg on the BL highlight show, or Wolfsburg in an actual game, I saw Hanke do some great stuff - he has a great first touch, a rocket shot, a killer instinct, good creative instinct, he's a fighter, and he's pretty athletic. Hanke probably won't get much PT at the WC, if any at all. But he might be a real star in the not to distant future. And I think he's a better choice than Kuranyi. Kuranyi had a horrible season, and he's slow.

Nowotny - great choice, considering the lack of great talent at the center fullback spot. Nowotny has been in great form this season, and he adds experience, and an ability to read the game well, and he's a good passer.

[prymetyme]

Im suprisinly optomistic about our chances, we have a solid 11 and then subs have a lot of potential. its easy to be negative, but look on the brightside. plus dont forget home field advantage of 82 million strong.

[LebenslangGruenWeiss]

goalies:
Olli Lehmann


His first name is actually Jens:rolleyes:

[Lionhead]

To me it looks like Klinsi has a tendency to playing russian roulette.
Nominating two injured players (Metzelder, Kehl) is playing harakiri. No coach can afford to risk decimating the squad before hand. What would happen if they didn't recover in time and Nowotny or Mertesacker would pick up injuries? That could end in a big mess!

Hitzi: A pleasant surprise. Have you people forgotten how he played at Aston Villa? If he gets a chance to play, some people will be surprised (Eisenfuss)

Odonkor: This is a shocking decision. Rule 1:The WC is not the kind of scenario to try a new player. That's never heard of. Klinsi has not got a clue about the basics.

Kuranyi: How in the world can you take Hanke who's out for 2 matches over a striker who scored 20 times in NT? It's basically reducing the options for the first two games, because neither Neuville nor Asamoah can replace Klose/Poldi.

Neuville and Asamoah: a definite no

Summary: Klinsi should be sacked before WC starts.

[HeyaBVB]

To me it looks like Klinsi has a tendency to playing russian roulette.
Nominating two injured players (Metzelder, Kehl) is playing harakiri. No coach can afford to risk decimating the squad before hand. What would happen if they didn't recover in time and Nowotny or Mertesacker would pick up injuries? That could end in a big mess!

Hitzi: A pleasant surprise. Have you people forgotten how he played at Aston Villa? If he gets a chance to play, some people will be surprised (Eisenfuss)

Odonkor: This is a shocking decision. Rule 1:The WC is not the kind of scenario to try a new player. That's never heard of. Klinsi has not got a clue about the basics.

Kuranyi: How in the world can you take Hanke who's out for 2 matches over a striker who scored 20 times in NT? It's basically reducing the options for the first two games, because neither Neuville nor Asamoah can replace Klose/Poldi.

Neuville and Asamoah: a definite no

Summary: Klinsi should be sacked before WC starts.

Neither can Kuranyi , since he is a member of Gesindel 04 he literally sux ... Kehl and Metze are fit before the WC. Nowotny was a joke, no question ... he dissed Wörns , who is a much better defender than Klo-wotny who only has the style to play for Burkina Faso. Heck that soab not even has a team after WC2006

Rule 2 : Wenn man keine Ahnung hat, einfach mal die fresse halten :) How many players where thrown into the cold water at a WC .... Metze, the young Beckenbauer, and others ,,, if not for his injuries Metze turned out to be the next Jurgen Kohler .. only his 1 and a half year injury stopped him, but he is on a good way back.

[Lionhead]

... Kehl and Metze are fit before the WC

How do you know, Schlaumeier?

Rule 2 : Wenn man keine Ahnung hat, einfach mal die fresse halten :) How many players where thrown into the cold water at a WC .... Metze, the young Beckenbauer, and others ,,, .

Vielleicht solltest Du Deine eigene Fresse halte.:(

Metze played five out of six NT games before WC 02. Staunste, wa?

[HeyaBVB]

Vielleicht solltest Du Deine eigene Fresse halte.:(

Metze played five out of six NT games before WC 02. Staunste, wa?

How do I know , because both were checked by the Bayern Doctor , who is NT Doctor as well

So if you may remember, Metze wasn't planned as WC Starter , nor is Odonkor .... and he is not an internatinional noob .. Metze played U21 till know ... and he was one of the best

"Die offizielle
Bundesliga-Datenbank weist Odonkor in dieser Saison mit 229
hereingegebenen Flanken ligaweit als die Nummer 1 vor Jesper
Grönkjaer (115) vom VfB Stuttgart aus."

And thats what he is supposed for ... playing the ball toward Klose and Poldi, That was our problem by now ...

[Lionhead]

"Die offizielle
Bundesliga-Datenbank weist Odonkor in dieser Saison mit 229
hereingegebenen Flanken ligaweit als die Nummer 1 vor Jesper
Grönkjaer (115) vom VfB Stuttgart aus."

And thats what he is supposed for ... playing the ball toward Klose and Poldi, That was our problem by now ...

Considering that BVB scored a mere 45 goals in 34 matches is kind a poor. Even Kaiserslautern (47) and Köln (49) scored more.
My questions is: Where did the most of the 229 crosses end up then? Stats are ok, but if they don't give you the real picture they have no value. Klose and Poldi don't even know the guy.

[HeyaBVB]

Considering that BVB scored a mere 45 goals in 34 matches is kind a poor. Even Kaiserslautern (47) and Köln (49) scored more.
My questions is: Where did the most of the 229 crosses end up then? Stats are ok, but if they don't give you the real picture they have no value. Klose and Poldi don't even know the guy.


1. We have a striker problem ... saying thats Odonkors fault is bull .... Ebi/Amoah/Bug-ley just sucked ... Odonkor could learn to make more goals himself, but its not his fault ... alone

2. With only 47 Goals we are 7th ... so you yourself made anoth of your points look ridiculous ... how can such flops like Kehl and Metze be part of the 6th best defense? Only HSV (no german Defender) , Schalke (Oh .. No german defender), München ( oh wait except for Lahm no german defender) , Bremen (... did Fahrenhorst actually play?), and stuttgart (same procedure as every year) have had better defenses ...... so ... actually Dortmund had the best german defense ... (Oh wait Klinsgay threw the best german defender out)

3. Why the ******** are the Ape and Hildebrand in the NT ... Enke and Weide are much better goalies atm ..

[Lionhead]

1. We have a striker problem ... saying thats Odonkors fault is bull .... Ebi/Amoah/Bug-ley just sucked ... Odonkor could learn to make more goals himself, but its not his fault ... alone

3. Why the ******** are the Ape and Hildebrand in the NT ... Enke and Weide are much better goalies atm ..

I never implied that the low score was Odonkor's fault. My point is that stats are not always a true reflection. 229 crosses is a remarkable number, but it doesn't say anything about the quality of the crosses. It wouldn't be fair to expect any goals from Odonkor at this stage. He certainly has a lot to learn. I just don't think he will get enough time to learn during the WC.

["Eisenfuß" Eilts]

His first name is actually Jens:rolleyes:

Psssssst, Olli Lehmann is our secret weapon. ;)
He sets the opponent in fear, has the reflexes of the Panther on the line
and the penalty area domination of Lehmann.

That´s the man we need at the WC. :D