Encyclopedia
The
German national football team represents the German Football Association in international
football competitions since 1908. After 1949, during the
Cold War, the
German Democratic Republic fielded its own team , while the DFB team represented the
Federal Republic of Germany and was generally known as
West Germany. Since the former East German states joined West Germany in the
German reunification of 1990, the colloquial names of both the united state and its team has reverted back to simply
Germany. This team has assumed the records of the old West and East German teams.
Germany has been one of the most successful European national team at international competitions, having won a total of three World Cups and three European championships; the East German team also won an Olympic title in 1976.
The current coaching staff of the national team include head coach
Joachim Löw, assistant coach Hans-Dieter Flick, team manager
Oliver Bierhoff and goalkeeper coach Andreas Köpke.
History and Success
Germany has won the
World Cup three times, behind only
Brazil and
Italy . It has finished as runners-up four times, two more than any other side. In terms of semifinal appearances, Germany leads with 11, one more than Brazil's 10, which had participated in two more tournaments . Germany has also qualified for every of the 16 World Cups it has entered - it did not enter the inaugural competition in Uruguay of
1930, and was barred from entering the post-war
1950 tournament.
Germany has also won the
European Championship three times , and finished as runners-up twice. The Germans have qualified for every European Championship tournament except for the very first EC they entered in
1968. Germany played only four qualifying games in the only group of three teams, and managed only a 0-0 in Albania while Yugoslavia won there, giving Yugoslavia the edge.
Early years
Between 1899 and 1901 there were five unofficial international matches between different German and English selection teams, which all ended as large defeats for the German teams. Eight years after the establishment of the German Football Association , the first official match of the Germany national football team was played on 5 April 1908, against Switzerland at
Basel, with the Swiss winning 5-3. The players were selected by the DFB as there was no dedicated coach at that time.
The first coach of the Germany national team was Otto Nerz, a school teacher from
Mannheim, from 1923 to 1936. Germany did not travel to Uruguay for the 1930 event, but finished third in the
1934 World Cup in their first ever World Cup appearance. Two years later, Sepp Herberger took over as coach.
After
Austria was made part of Germany in the
Anschluss of 1938, Austrian players from
Rapid Wien were ordered to join the German team on short terms for political reasons. In the
1938 World Cup, the "united" German team was knocked out in the first round after two games against Switzerland, the only time this has happened in a World Cup.
The team played over 30 international games between September 1939 and November 1942.
Post WWII
See
West Germany national football team,
East Germany national football team,
Saarland national football teamMixed results in the 1990s
After the World Cup win in 1990, assistant
Berti Vogts took over from Beckenbauer as the national team coach. Moreover, the
reunification of Germany meant players from East Germany, such as Matthias Sammer and
Ulf Kirsten, became eligible to represent the new unified team. In
Euro 92, Germany reached the final, but lost 2-0 to surprise winners
Denmark. Then as defending champions in the
1994 World Cup, they were upset 2-1 in the quarter-finals by
Bulgaria after taking the lead.
Germany won their first major international title after the reunification at
Euro 96, becoming European champions for the third time. They defeated England, who were the hosts, again on penalty kicks in the semi-finals, and the
Czech Republic 2-1 in the final, a match decided by a golden goal scored by
Oliver Bierhoff. However, in the
1998 World Cup, Germany were again eliminated by a less heralded opponent in the quarter-finals, this time in a 3-0 rout by Croatia. Vogts stepped down afterwards and was replaced by Erich Ribbeck.
Into the 21st century
Entering the 21st century, Germany's standing as one of the best national sides in the world, and as of a team that almost always reach the later rounds of major tournaments, was starting to be threatened by disappointing results. In
Euro 2000, they went out in the first round after failing to win any of their three matches, including an embarrassing 3-0 loss to a second-string Portugal side and a 1-0 defeat to rivals England.
Rudi Völler replaced Ribbeck as coach, initially on a temporary basis, and later permanently after planned successor Christoph Daum was involved in a drug scandal.
Coming into the
2002 World Cup, expectations of the German team were low, due to poor results in the qualifiers, including a 5-1 home defeat against England. However, they started out strong by thrashing
Saudi Arabia 8-0 in their first match. At the knockout stages, they produced three consecutive 1-0 wins, against Paraguay, the
United States, and co-hosts South Korea, setting up a final against
Brazil, the first World Cup meeting between the two most successful teams in World Cup history. However, with the pivotal
Michael Ballack suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, Germany's chances had declined. In a hard-fought match, Germany lost 2-0. German captain and goalkeeper
Oliver Kahn won the
Golden Ball, the first time in the World Cup's history a goalkeeper was named best player of the tournament. Simultaneously, he won the Yashin-Award as the best goalkeeper.
Unfortunately, Germany failed to build on their success in 2002, and again exited in the first round of
Euro 2004 without winning a match. As was the case in 2000, the Germans bowed out after losing to the second-string side of a team that had already advanced, in this case that of the Czech Republic. Völler resigned afterwards, denouncing the constant media criticism in a famous TV interview, and the national team had to find their third new coach in six years, after having had only six coaches in the previous 75 years. As prospective candidates including Ottmar Hitzfeld and
Otto Rehhagel turned down the job, former national team player
Jürgen Klinsmann, who had never held any coaching jobs before, was appointed. In similar style to Beckenbauer's former role as team manager without a coaching license, experienced Joachim Löw from Stuttgart would take care of the actual coaching responsibilities. Klinsmann's main task was to lead the national team to a good showing at the
2006 World Cup, which Germany hosted.
2006 World Cup
Although the host nation, hopes prior to the start of the tournament proper were not as high for Germany in the
2006 World Cup as in previous tournaments, even in Germany itself. Critics had pointed out the apparent lack of quality players in the squad and coach Klinsmann's decision to live in America rather than Germany.
Germany, however, won the opening game of the World Cup against Costa Rica 4-2. They continued to develop both confidence and support across the group stage, conceding no further goals as they beat Poland 1-0 and Ecuador 3-0, with
Miroslav Klose scoring twice and
Lukas Podolski adding another in the last match. Germany finishing top of the group with three wins.
The team went on to easily defeat
Sweden 2-0 in the round of 16, with
Lukas Podolski netting both goals in only 12 minutes, from assists by
Miroslav Klose.
Germany faced favourites Argentina in the quarter-finals, a team that Germany had not defeated since the 1990 World Cup. Germany's shutout streak was broken shortly after half time as Argentina scored first to grab a 1-0 lead. However,
Michael Ballack's free kick allowed Klose to head in the equalizer with 10 minutes to spare. During penalties,
Jens Lehmann stopped two spot kicks while his teammates made all of the necessary goals to win the decisive shootout 4 - 2. These results produced much expectation in Germany, many thinking that a record eighth appearance at the final was possible.
Unfortunately for the fans, the team lost 0-2 to Italy, having conceding two goals in the dying ninety seconds of the extra time.
Despite having their dreams of playing in the final dashed, Klinsmann's squad quickly recovered their composure, and journalists noted the team's upbeat mood in the practices after the semi-final. Three starters, including captain Michael Ballack, would not be available for the third place match. They faced a full strength Portuguese team, with goalkeeper
Ricardo having only conceded one goal in regular play. Nonetheless, Germany thoroughly routed Portugal 3-1, at one point being up three goals to nil from
Bastian Schweinsteiger's two goals and an own goal, also off his shot, by Portugal's Petit.
Germany managed to end the World Cup on a high, not only with a 3-1 win over Portugal in the battle for third place, but also with several awards:
Miroslav Klose was awarded the Golden Boot for his five tournament goals, and fellow striker
Lukas Podolski won the 'Best Young Player' award. Furthermore, four of Germany's players were selected for the 'Mastercard All-Star Team'. In addition, at 14 goals scored, the German side put away more goals than any other team. At the end of their tournament, more than 500,000 people celebrated the team's return by giving them a heroes welcome at the
Brandenburg Gate in
Berlin. All in all, Germany had a much better World Cup than many - at home and abroad - ever believed possible.
Euro 2008 Qualifiers
Germany's entry into the Euro 2008 qualifying round was marked, not least, by the arrival of new coach
Joachim Löw. For the preliminary round, Germany were placed into Group D, along with Cyprus, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Ireland, San Marino, Slovakia and Wales.
Thus far, Germany have performed well, though not against very high-ranking opponents.
Their first match, played 2nd September, 2006, was against the
Republic of Ireland , and was won by Germany 1-0. A set piece from
Lukas Podolski was diverted into the net by
Robbie Keane, and gave Löw and the German team an opening victory to the tournament.
The second, played 6th September, 2006 resulted in an historic defeat for opponents San Marino: 13-0, their worst ever recorded loss and German best ever victory on away game , and their best post-
Cold War victory. Again, Lukas Podolski was the star, with four goals, but contributions were received from
Michael Ballack , Manuel Friedrich ,
Miroslav Klose Thomas Hitzlsperger , Bernd Schneider , and
Bastian Schweinsteiger . San Marino were, as the scoreline suggests, overwhelmed by their opponents: given that Germany's Elo ranking is 186 places above theirs, this is perhaps understandable.
Germany's next game will be against Slovakia on the 11th October, 2006.
World Cup record
>| Year | Finish | Matches | Wins | Draws* | Losses | Goals Scored | Goals Against | | As Germany |
>1930 | Did not enter | | | | | | | >1934 | Third place | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 8 | >1938 | Round 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | | As West Germany |
>1950 | Banned | | | | | | | >1954 | Champions | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 14 | >1958 | Fourth place | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 14 | >1962 | Quarterfinals | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | >1966 | Runners-up | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 | >1970 | Third place | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 10 | >1974 | Champions | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 | >1978 | Round 2 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 5 | >1982 | Runners-up | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 10 | >1986 | Runners-up | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | >1990 | Champions | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 5 | | As Germany |
>1994 | Quarterfinals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 7 | >1998 | Quarterfinals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 6 | >2002 | Runners-up | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 3 | >2006 | Third Place | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 6 | > Total | | 92 | 55 | 19 | 18 | 190 | 112 |
Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
The team has qualified for 14 consecutive World Cup tournaments after the World War II ban, and over that time it has participated in the final seven times . Only in 1958-1962 and 1994-1998 has Germany missed the finals two consecutive times. The seven finals participations yielded three championships, but also four runners-up, more than any other nation. Over the last nine tournaments, Germany has fared even better, appearing in five finals and winning two of them .
Germany was the first team to have appeared in three consecutive final games , which has since been tied by Brazil . Germany is the only team with 11 semifinal appearances, losing only four of them. The 3-1 win over Portugal was Germany's 3rd Third place finish, after 1934 and 1970, with a Fourth place in 1958 completing the resumee.
European Championship record
>| Year | Finish | | As West Germany |
>1960 | Did not enter | >1964 | Did not enter | >1968 | Did not qualify | >1972 | Champions | >1976 | Runners-up | >1980 | Champions | >1984 | Round 1 | >1988 | Semifinals | | As Germany |
>1992 | Runners-up | >1996 | Champions | >2000 | Round 1 | >2004 | Round 1 | >2008 | Qualifying starts 9/2/06 |
Players
Famous past players
Fritz Walter, Uwe Seeler,
Franz Beckenbauer and
Lothar Matthäus are "Honorary team captains" .
Current Players
The following players have all recently been called up to the Germany squad. Blanket shows last call-up time.
Caps and goals as of 6 September 2006, included against San Marino, 6 September 2006.
2006 World Cup
- See also 2006 FIFA World Cup .
- Germany, hosts of the event, won their opening game 4-2 over Costa Rica. This was a fast-paced match that saw three goals in the first eighteen minutes. One goal each from Lahm and Frings, along with two goals from Miroslav Klose made up Germany's tally. Striker Paulo Wanchope scored both of Costa Rica's goals, levelling at 1-1, and getting closer at 3-2. The 4-2 result was the highest-ever score in any opening match of the World Cup.
- Germany won their second game in the group against Poland 1-0 after Oliver Neuville scored in the 91st minute to give the team a victory. This win meant that if Ecuador won their game against Costa Rica then both Germany and Ecuador would be guaranteed a place in the last 16.
- With a decisive 3-0 over Ecuador, thanks to Klose and Lukas Podolski, Germany took first place in Group A, with three wins
- In the Round of 16, Germany beat Sweden 2-0 in FIFA WM Stadion München
...
,
Munich, by two early goals by Podolski
- Germany beat Argentina in the first Quarterfinal in Berlin, with Jens Lehmann making two crucial penalty saves. Klose had added another goal, now leading the scorer list with 5, two clear of several others.
- Germans were attacked by the Argentinians after the penalty shootout. Leandro Cufre was send off for kicking Per Mertesacker, Maxi Rodriguez hit Bastian Schweinsteiger from behind, and FIFA announced an investigation of video evidence. Cufre and Rodriguez were later suspended for four and two games, respectively.
- Torsten Frings had been suspended for the semifinal match on the basis of his punch to Julio Cruz in the quarterfinal. Due to evidence that he was provoked, his second match suspension is subject to a six-month probationary period; This meant that he was able to play in the third place playoff.
- Germany lost the semifinal in Dortmund to Italy in extra time, with Italy scoring twice seconds before the second overtime ended.
- With the exception of third goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand
...
, all players on the World Cup squad appeared in at least one game.
- Germany won the 3rd place game in Stuttgart by beating Portugal 3-1, with Schweinsteiger being responsible for all 3 German goals, by scoring twice plus providing a free kick that was deflected by Portuguese midfielder Armando Petit for an own goal.
Most capped players
Below is a list of the 22 players with the most caps for Germany, as of September 6, 2006 :
| # | Player | Germany career | Caps |
|---|
| 1 | Lothar Matthäus | 1980-2000 | 150 |
| 2 | Jürgen Klinsmann | 1987-1998 | 108 |
| 3 | Jürgen Kohler | 1986-1998 | 105 |
| 4 | Franz Beckenbauer | 1965-1977 | 103 |
| 5 | Thomas Häßler | 1988-2000 | 101 |
| 6 | Berti Vogts | 1967-1978 | 96 |
| 7 | Sepp Maier | 1966-1979 | 95 |
| = | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | 1976-1986 | 95 |
| 9 | Rudi Völler | 1982-1994 | 90 |
| 10 | Andreas Brehme | 1984-1994 | 86 |
| = | Oliver Kahn | 1995-2006 | 86 |
| 12 | Andreas Möller | 1988-1999 | 85 |
| 13 | Karlheinz Förster | 1978-1986 | 81 |
| = | Wolfgang Overath | 1963-1974 | 81 |
| 15 | Guido Buchwald | 1984-1994 | 76 |
| = | Harald Schumacher | 1979-1986 | 76 |
| 17 | Bernd Schneider* | 1999-2006 | 74 |
| 18 | Pierre Littbarski | 1981-1990 | 73 |
| 19 | Michael Ballack* | 1999-2006 | 72 |
| = | Hans-Peter Briegel | 1979-1986 | 72 |
| = | Uwe Seeler | 1954-1970 | 72 |
| = | Christian Ziege | 1993-2004 | 72 |
|
Top goalscorers
Below is a list of the top 10 goalscorers for Germany, as of September 6, 2006 :
Tournament records
...
- 14
Coaches
