Die Nationalmannschaft: World Cup

Re: Germany's Projected Starting Team

i reckon the starting XI will be

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Re: Germany's Projected Starting Team

-------------------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.

 

Re: Germany's Projected Starting Team

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.

 

Who for Germany in WC 2006?

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

 

Re: Who for Germany in WC 2006?

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

 

Re: Who for Germany in WC 2006?

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.

 

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.

 

Apparently his uncle played for Ghana and his mother is a distant relative of Helmut Rahn. Sounds promising...

 

Kahn-Freidrich-Metzelder-Mertsacker-Lahm
Frings-Deisler-Schweinsteiger-Ballack
-Klose-Podolski

I like this line up, they will be a tough team to play.

 

Ghana or Germany? Boateng will play for Germany.

Ich spiele nur für Deutschland!
Herthas Boateng läßt die WM mit Ghana sausen
Von MICHAEL KRANZ

Bei Hertha hat sich Boateng (r., im Zweikampf mit Mihai Nesu, im UEFA-Cup-Spiel am 15.12) schon einen Stammplatz im Mittelfeld erobert

Berlin - Ein junger Mann und eine schwere Entscheidung...


Herthas Mittelfeld-Juwel Kevin-Prince Boateng (18) hatte zwei verlockende Aussichten: Spiele ich mit Ghana bei der WM 2006? Oder warte ich auf meine Chance in der deutschen Nationalmannschaft?

Jetzt hat sich Boateng entschieden. Er pfeift auf die Weltmeisterschaft - und spielt NUR für Deutschland! Boateng zur B.Z.: "Ghana ist zwar die Heimat meines Vaters und der Verband hat gefragt, ob ich für sie bei der Weltmeisterschaft spielen will. Aber im Grunde meines Herzens bin ich Deutscher, deshalb werde ich nicht für Ghana spielen."

Schön für Klinsi - ein Riesen-Talent entscheidet sich für unsere Elf. Boatengs Verlust wäre auch bitter gewesen. Der Sohn einer deutschen Mutter hat bisher alle Junioren-Teams des DFB durchlaufen. Entwickelt er sich weiter, ist der Ruf vom Bundestrainer des DFB nur eine Frage der Zeit.

Einfach aber war die Entscheidung für Boateng nicht. "Viele rieten mir zur WM, schließlich sei es eine einmalige Chance, in Deutschland beim Turnier der Weltbesten zu spielen." Doch Boateng entscheidet sich für Deutschland! Bundestrainer Jürgen Klinsmann spielte dabei eine Rolle. Boateng: "Er gibt der Jugend eine Chance und gibt ihnen damit Selbstvertrauen. Meine Zeit kommt noch. Es wäre die Erfüllung meines größten Traums, mal in der deutschen Nationalelf zu spielen."

Und Träume werden ja manchmal gaaannz schnell wahr...

http://bz.berlin1.de/aktuell/sport/hertha/051227/hertha_boateng.html
*******************

good decision, Kevin!

 

Re: Ghana or Germany? Boateng will play for Germany.

----------------Lehmann-----------------
--Friedrich--Metzelder--Mertesacker--Lahm
-----------------Kehl---------------------
------Deisler------------Schweinsteiger---
----------------Ballack-------------------
-----------------------Podolski-----------
---------Klose----------------------------

the bench:

Hildebrand
Jansen
Huth
Wörns
Frings
Borowski
Neuville
Kuranyi

 

If the opponent is considered to be an easy one:

----------------Kahn-----------------
--Lahm--Metzelder--Wörns--Jansen----
-----------------Kehl---------------------
------Deisler------------Schweinsteiger---
----------------Ballack-------------------
-----------------------Podolski-----------
---------Klose----------------------------


If the opponent is considered to be a tough one:

----------------Kahn-----------------
--Lahm--Metzelder--Wörns--Jansen----
---------Kehl-------Frings/Ernst---------
---Deisler---------------Schweinsteiger---
----------------Ballack-------------------
----------------Klose---------------------

 

Good decision Kevin!

From what I've seen of the kid, he looks to be a megatalent...

 

My ideal lineup....

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

--Arne---Merte------------Metze---Lahm------

-----------------Kehl---------------------

-----Deisler-------------Schweini---------

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

---------------------Poldi--------------

-------------Klose-------------------

 

There are no easy opponents for Germany anymore since arround 1996 or so .

 

Respect for the teams, but a worldchampion plays its own tournament.

How or however, no remorse and no mercy.

 

Yeah, that`s what the english say

 

Is there any particular reason Klinsmann never calls up Malik Fathi ? If Lahm returns or even surpasses his former level he's first choice of course, but Fathi is a constant and proven defender, something you can't say about Jansen and whomever else Juergen fielded in that position. Arguably Marvin Matip could have been called up as a backup CD as well.

Only reason i could imagine is Eilts kicked his ass for poaching half of his U21 team already. ( In theory these guys could choose to play for Ghana/Turkey still, but that's highly unlikely... )

 

The turkish coach wants Malik fathi to play for Turkey. Fathi always said that he wants to play for Germany but right now, he has no hopes that Klinsmann nominates him. Who knows, maybe he'll say yes to Turkey someday!

 

I'm certainly not fond of the tactics of certain European teams to cap players eligible to play for other counties once and let them rot afterwards. But at this point Lahm/Jansen as offensive options and Fathi as defensive one look like a no brainer to me. Am i missing anything ?

 

Re: Ghana or Germany? Boateng will play for Germany.

----------------Kahn-----------------
--Friedrich--Metzelder--Ismael --Lahm
-----------------Borowski---------------------
------Deisler---------------- Schweinsteiger---
----------------Ballack-------------------
-----------------------Podolski-----------
---------Klose----------------------------