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Germany national football team

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Germany
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Die Nationalmannschaft
("The National Team")
Die Nationalelf
("The National Eleven")
AssociationDeutscher Fußball-Bund — DFB
Head coachGermany Joachim Löw
CaptainMichael Ballack
Most capsLothar Matthäus (150)
Top scorerGerd Müller (68)
FIFA codeGER
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current9
Highest1 (August 1993)
Lowest22 (March 2006)
First international
Switzerland Switzerland 5 - 3 Germany Template:Country data Germany old
(Basel, Switzerland; 5 April, 1908)
Biggest win
Template:Country data Germany old Germany 16 - 0 Russia
(Stockholm, Sweden; 1 July, 1912)
Biggest defeat
England England 9 - 0 Germany Template:Country data Germany old
(Oxford, England; 16 March, 1909)
World Cup
Appearances16 (first in 1934)
Best resultWinners, 1954, 1974, 1990
European Championship
Appearances9 (first in 1972)
Best resultWinners, 1972, 1980, 1996

The German national football team (Die deutsche Nationalmannschaft) represents the German Football Association (DFB) in international football competitions since 1908. After 1949, during the Cold War, the (East) German Democratic Republic fielded its own team (as the Saarland had to do until 1956, too), while the DFB team represented the (Western) 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 German team.

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 (five titles) and Italy (four titles). 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 (all 18, in fact). 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 (France is the only other multiple-time winners with two titles), 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 (DFB), 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 team

Mixed 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 (6-5, after a 1-1 draw) 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 (the Portuguese having already advanced) 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 goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was voted the best player of the tournament, the first time in the World Cup's history a goalkeeper became the 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, winning every game and finishing top of the group, having conceded no further goals.

The team went on to produce a string of wins against Sweden and favourites Argentina in the knockout round. Sweden was felled 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. Lehmann's shutout streak was broken shortly after half time as Argentina scored first to grab a 1-0 lead. However, Ballack's free kick allowed Klose to head in the equalizer with 10 minutes to spare. During penalties, Lehmann stopped two shots 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 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 (Jens Lehmann, Philipp Lahm, Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose) 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.

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 (tied only by Brazil). 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 (55%) and winning two of them (22%).

Germany was the first team to have appeared in three consecutive final games ('82-'90), which has since been tied by Brazil ('94-'02). 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" (Ehrenspielführer).

Current players

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Strikers

2006 World Cup

See also 2006 FIFA World Cup (squads).

2006 World Cup Information

  • 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 (twice) 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 (assists by Klose)
  • Germany beat Argentina (1-1, 4-2 pens) 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.
  • 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 20 players with the most caps for Germany, as of August 16, 2006 (* denotes active players):

# 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 Pierre Littbarski 1981-1990 73
18 Hans-Peter Briegel 1979-1986 72
= Bernd Schneider* 1999-2006 72
= Uwe Seeler 1954-1970 72
= Christian Ziege 1993-2004 72

Top goalscorers

Main article: List of leading goalscorers for the German national football team

Below is a list of the top 10 goalscorers for Germany, as of August 16, 2006 (* denotes active players):

# Player Goals
1 Gerd Müller 68
2 Jürgen Klinsmann 47
= Rudi Völler 47
4 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 45
5 Uwe Seeler 43
6 Oliver Bierhoff 37
7 Fritz Walter 33
8 Klaus Fischer 32
9 Michael Ballack* 31
= Miroslav Klose* 31
= Ernst Lehner 31

Tournament records

Coaches

Name Period Matches Wins Draws Losses Honours
DFB committee 1908-1927 63 18(29%) 13(21%) 32(51%)
Otto Nerz 1928-1936 70 42(60%) 10(14%) 18(26%) Third place at the 1934 World Cup
Sepp Herberger1 1936-1964 162 92(57%) 26(16%) 44(27%) Winner of the 1954 World Cup, Fourth place at the 1958 World Cup
Helmut Schön 1964-1978 139 87(63%) 30(12%) 22(16%) Runner-up of the 1966 World Cup, Third place at the 1970 World Cup, Winner of Euro 72, Winner of the 1974 World Cup, Runner-up of Euro 76
Jupp Derwall 1978-1984 67 45(67%) 11(16%) 11(12%) Winner of Euro 80, Runner-up of the 1982 World Cup
Franz Beckenbauer 1984-1990 66 36(55%) 17(26%) 13(20%) Runner-up of the 1986 World Cup, Winner of the 1990 World Cup
Berti Vogts 1990-1998 102 67(66%) 23(23%) 12(12%) Runner-up of Euro 92, Winner of Euro 96
Erich Ribbeck 1998-2000 24 10(42%) 6(25%) 8(33%)
Rudi Völler 2000-2004 53 29(55%) 11(21%) 13(25%) Runner-up of the 2002 World Cup
Jürgen Klinsmann 2004-2006 34 21(62%) 7(21%) 6(18%) Third place at the 2006 World Cup
Joachim Löw2 2006- 1 1(100%) 0(0%) 0(0%)
Total2 781 448(57%) 154(20%) 179(23%)
Notes
  1. Record includes periods of pre-division Germany (1936-1942 -- 65 matches: 40 wins, 12 draws, 13 losses) and West Germany (1950-1964 -- 97 matches: 52 wins, 14 draws, 31 losses).
  2. Record as of August 16, 2006.

Notes

The 2006 World Cup saw an unprecedented widespread public display of the national flag in Germany.
  • Germany does not have a national stadium, and rotate their home matches among various stadiums across the country.
  • The national team's home dress has always been a white jersey and black shorts, while the away jersey colour has changed several times. Historically, green shirt with white shorts is the most often used alternative colour combination, derived from the DFB colours (and the ones of a playing field). Other colours such as grey and black have also been used. The last change, from black to red, came in November 2004 on the request of Klinsmann, citing that teams in red are statistically more successful, and perceived as more intimidating. He hoped to use the red away shirt as first choice for the 2006 World Cup despite less than impressive results when playing in these colours (for example, the loss in Italy), but the FIFA decided that Germany had to play in its traditional colors.
  • Germany played in the FIFA Confederations Cup twice, in 1999 (first round exit) and in 2005 (third place) as hosts.
  • Interestingly, Germany did not beat a European team in the finals of either the World Cup or the European Championship between their victory over the Czech Republic in the Euro 96 final and their victory over Poland in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, a span of 10 years and 9 matches. Their record against non-European teams in the World Cup during this period is 9 wins and 1 loss (against Brazil in the 2002 final).
  • It was also often reported in the media that they have not beaten a "major football power" since their 1-0 victory over England in 2000 until Germany beat Argentina during the World Cup 2006 quarter finals (Germany won the penalty shootout with 4-2). However, when reaching the final of the 2002 World Cup, Germany could only beat those "non-major football powers" which had qualified to play against them, not the "major football powers" that were eliminated early from the tournament. For example, Germany beat both Mexico and the United States during this period, who were both ranked in the top ten of the FIFA World Rankings at the time.
  • Since their penalty shootout loss to Czechoslovakia in Euro 76, Germany has not lost a penalty shootout in major international tournaments. In fact, the last penalty missed by a German player dates back to the semi-finals of the 1982 world cup when French goalkeeper Jean-Luc Ettori saved Uli Stielike's shot. In particular, England suffered two heartbreaking semi-final losses to Germany on penalties in the 1990s. As England striker Gary Lineker once said: "Football is a game with 22 people and in the end the Germans always win." In reality, Germany or German teams are among the teams with the most final losses (sometimes also very unlucky), for example in the FIFA World Cup or in the UEFA Champions League, yet they had to win first to get there.
  • German teams have something of a tradition of beginning their history against Switzerland: The first match of a German national team ever, the first match after World War I in 1920, the first match of a West German team after World War II in 1950 when Germany was still banned from most international competitions, and the first match of the reunited German team in 1990 were all against Switzerland. West Germany's first championship title was even won at the 1954 FIFA World Cup, on the road, at Wankdorf Stadion in Bern, Switzerland. Most of the home games (7 since 1911) were at Stuttgart's Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion. Klaus Fischer also scored Germany's "ARD Goal of the Century" there against the Swiss in 1977, with a "Bicycle kick" ("Fallrückzieher"), his trademark move with which he also scored the important 3:3 equalizer in overtime (108th minute) at the Template:WC vs France, but this was not among the Top 10 of the WC Goal of the Century
  • Germany can boast of having the first and only goalkeeper to win the Player of the Tournament award following a World Cup, that being Oliver Kahn in 2002.
  • Germany also has one of the world's greatest ever goal scorers in Gerd Muller, who racked up fourteen goals in just two World Cups. His ten goals in 1970 are the second most in a tournament, just behind France's Just Fontaine. Though Muller's all time Finals score was broken by Ronaldo in 2006, it took the latter three tournaments to do so. France's Just Fontaine is in third place all-time, with thirteen goals scored at the 1958 tournament.
  • Germany have reached 11 World Cup semi-finals, more than any other nation.

See also

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