[Wotan]

When reading posts on the German team---there seems to be lots of question marks. This guys been playing good, but is injured..or this guy's got great potential, but has been off his game lately. OK----for those of you --"In the Know"---please-project your German starting team---it seems I could safely "plug in"---Kahn as GK Ballack & Shweinsteiger in Metzelder & Mersacker at defense----& Podolski as striker----after that......it's all guesswork. Please, you German soccer experts.....please help! Thanks

[spencercs]

i reckon the starting XI will be

-------------------Kahn

Freidrich---Metzelder---Mertsacker---Lahm

------------------Frings

------Deisler---------------Schweinsteiger

-----------------Ballack

---------Klose--------------Podolski

[benztown]

-------------------Kahn-------------------
Friedrich---Metzelder---Mertesacker---Lahm
Deisler-----Ballack----Frings----Schweinsteiger
-----------Klose----------Podolski-----------

This looks like the most reasonable starting lineup if everyone stays healthy and if Lahm continues to make good progress after his severe injury.

Kahn should be pretty much unquestioned, as is Friedrich on the right, since Hinkel and Owomoyela didn't perform too well recently. Also I don't really see any real contenders for the central defence. Maybe Huth, but he'll still be behind M&M and isn't a regular at Chelsea. The left fullback position is the weakest one in terms of depth. Lahm is awesome when fit, but behind him there is hardly any real competition. Jansen did quite well, but is still nowhere near Lahm. In midfield I see Deisler and Schneider competing for the spot on the right wing, but personally I think Deisler is a little ahead of Schneider who didn't do as good as Deisler in recent Germany matches. Ballack is definately there if not injured. Frings has to compete with Hamann and Ernst, but it looks as if Hamann is out of favour and Ernst is still behind Frings. Schweinsteiger on the Left is also pretty certain. Berhind him there is Hitzelsperger who has the advantage of being left footed and he isn't called the hammer for no reason. But technically he isn't as good as Schweinsteiger. Another alternative for the left would be Schneider, who played there a couple of times recently but never really looked very convincing on that position. As for the forwards, I think Podolski is fixed even though he has some problems in Bundesliga right now. But he's always performed great for the national team. As second striker I see Klose ahead of Kuranyi, as he is in a great form. But then again, Kuranyi is also mostly doing well for the national team. I think the biggest fight will be between Schneider & Deisler on the right and Klose & Kuranyi up front.

On a side note: I think Klinsmann should also consider taking Scholl to the World Cup, he would make a remarkable sub. His technical skills are still beyond any other German Player and he can play on any offensive position.

[Wotan]

Thanks--I DO agree with you about Scholl. I had thought of that myself. Has lots of experience & can have a "settling" influence on the team. Glad to see no one has the bulky, slow Asamoah starting-----I don't think he should even be on the squad. Kuranyi has been a big dissapointment last couple yrs.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

I wouldn't mind having Scholl as a backup midfielder, but I think what you get from Scholl is the same that you get from Schneider, and Schneider plays regularly and can be a spark as well.

As for Asamoah, he has his uses. He's a good supporting striker, he won't score many goals for sure, but he's a good dribbler, he's fast (not slow), has a great engine and will work his socks off.

Kuranyi will always seemingly disappoint people, but he's a good header and scorer for the NT. That being said, I still think Podolski and Klose are the best strikeforce for Germany because they complement each other better. Germany's A2 option should be Kuranyi and PODOLSKI, not Klose, because I think Klose and Kuranyi are two similar players.

For Defense, unfortunately it has to be Friedrich-Mertesacker-Metzelder-Lahm. Out of this bunch, I think Friedrich is the best defender out of all of them, which isn't really saying much. This is one of the worst back 4s we've ever sent to the WC, but I have faith in them. We play attacking football, we will score goals. It's up to them to just hold the line, especially the back two. I would like to see Fathi and not Jansen as the backup LB, because if we are ahead, I would be more assured with Fathi in defense than the more attack minded Jansen.

In the next 2 or 3 friendlies, I'd like to see Kehl in DM spot, with Fathi as a backup LB and Lahm starting. I would also like to see Klose and Podolski get some games together, I don't know how many times they've been on the same field, but I don't think its very many.

[Memento]

What players do you think already have a sure place in the 22 player list for Germany in WC 2006?? (witout considering circumstances like injury or other problems alike)

My opinion:

-Ballack
-Deisler
-Podolski
-Friederich
-Lahm
-Schweinsteiger
-Schneider
-Borowski
-Klose
-Kuranyi
-Kahn
-Lehmann

[Dead Fingers]

I merged a couple threads as I don't want a million threads on the projected lineups for the WC.

[bltleo]

Originally Posted by Dead Fingers

I merged a couple threads as I don't want a million threads on the projected lineups for the WC.

it is your job to merge million threads

I was while away at american board....finding out what they think about
World Cup etc.

I think we can win the World Cup...of course there are many nationalities that have better players than we...but to win a game does not depends only on quality of players...there are much more factors...and few mistakes in a game can make "miracle" outcome - in positive or negative meaning...
it depends how our boys will be motivated...and they are motivated...
with good team spirit they can win the whole thing..

bltleo

[benztown]

Originally Posted by Memento

What players do you think already have a sure place in the 22 player list for Germany in WC 2006?? (witout considering circumstances like injury or other problems alike)

My opinion:

-Ballack
-Deisler
-Podolski
-Friederich
-Lahm
-Schweinsteiger
-Schneider
-Borowski
-Klose
-Kuranyi
-Kahn
-Lehmann

I don't think Lehmann will be there. I think he said that he would retire from the NT if he wouldn't becom #1 keeper. And that I don't see coming.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Hmm...I wonder if Klinsmann may be also looking at Kevin-Prince Boateng. He's been playing real well for us, at only 19 years old. I know its really too early to tell, but maybe something to look for in the future at least.