Germany

Germany Profile

TEAM FACTS:

Coach: Joachim Löw

Captain: Michael Ballack

Star players: Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose

Team nickname: Die Mannschaft

Titles held: World Champions in 1954, 1974, 1990 and European Champions in 1972, 1980, 1996

FIFA ranking: 6

Team best known for: Winning three World Cups and three European championships.

 

Germany has won the FIFA World Cup three times, the European Championships three times and is still a team to be reckoned with. The team is now aiming to lift the most illustrious trophy in the world’s most celebrated sport for the fourth time.

 

The team’s success comes from consistent hard work, tactical and strategic thinking and the ability to perform when the need arises. After 2 runners up spots in the FIFA World Cup 2002 and UEFA Euro 2008 and a third place at the FIFA World Cup 2006, Michael Ballack will be utterly determined to lead his team to victory. Not only would this be the crowning glory, but he will enter an elite group of World Cup – winning captains that already include Fritz Walter, Franz Beckenbauer and Lothar Matthaus.

 

Germany’s road to South Africa was paved with efficiency and tactful resolutions of problems rather than a parade of skills. This made their journey for qualification smoother as they could depend on the experience of the players. The German’s sailed through qualification only picking up points against Finland and Russia. Wales, Leichtenstein, and Azerbaijan proved they were not strong enough for the Germans who beat them 1-0 and 2-0, 4-0 and 6-0 and 4-0 and 2-0 respectively.

 

Their closest rivals for qualification was Russia, but Germany’s utter determination on the night when they played their best attacking half of football proved that they are a powerful team. The Russians suffered their first ever loss in World Cup qualifying when Miroslav Klose netted the only goal of the evening. 

 

Löw has many players he can call upon when needed. He knows he can depend on the leader of the team, Ballack to make the right decision on and off the field. Ballack also has no shortage of skills as he has 97 senior caps to date. Klose follows Ballack closely as the top player in the team. He is currently the third top scoring goal scorer in the German record books with his 48 goals in 93 internationals. Philipp Lahm is another versatile player that contributes to the low conceding rate of Germany.

Joachim Löw, after taking control on 12 July 2006, has gained huge respect for his calm, knowledgeable and sympathetic manner of dealing with the stars, press and public alike. Although he has not yet won an international competition he is adamant to follow in Jurgen Klinsmann’s, former German coach, footsteps. He was reported to say “meticulous and painstaking hard work is the only way to succeed”.

"We've been very successful in the past, and that's an inspiration to the next generations. You only have to look at Germany's record at major tournaments. We won the World Cup in 1954, '74 and '90, and the European Championship in '72, '80 and '96. We've made it through to finals at least as often. We've grown up with the conviction that Germany is always good enough to reach the Final. We're definitely among a group of countries with a chance of taking the Trophy. We were third at the World Cup and second at the EURO, so our goal for 2010 is to make the Final and win the Trophy." Philipp Lahm said in a recent exclusive interview by FIFA.com

While in Nelson Mandela Bay for the match between Germany and Serbia on 18 June, take the time to indulge in the pleasure of being in a place that combines big city living with small town values:

 

See the sun set on a veld covered with flowers and wild plants, watch wild animals run free and experience the thrill of watching a shark pass your boat; all this can be done in the malaria free area of Nelson Mandela Bay. The Addo Elephant National Park, an hour’s drive from the city centre, caters for all animal lovers. Enjoy the Big 7, consisting of elephant, rhino, Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, southern right whale and great white shark, in their natural habitat in an open vehicle or guided walk.

 

If marine life fascinates you, then diving in Nelson Mandela Bay is a must. Beautiful reefs, interesting shipwrecks from years gone by, colourful soft coral species and the warm water of Algoa Bay will keep you in the water for hours. Surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and sailing can also be enjoyed in the Bay.

 

A delicious steak covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, chicken and prawn curry, an espetada done in a red wine sauce, sushi, or a decadent piece of double chocolate cake; will satisfy the fussiest palate. Nelson Mandela Bay has the highest capita ratio of restaurants per population in South Africa and with all that variety; everyone will definitely find something to suite their taste.

 

A vibrant array of night clubs to dance the night away, pubs where you can enjoy a beer and a game of pool, and award-winning cocktail bars that serve anything from a banana split martini to bubblegum bazooka; make Nelson Mandela Bay a popular party destination.

 

For the art lover, there are many theatre shows, museums, and art galleries in and around the Bay. Cinemas that show both the new and the old invite all for time to escape to a world that fulfills all your dreams.

 

For more information on the above activities or more activities on offer in Nelson Mandela Bay contact Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism on +27 (0) 41 582 2575 or email info@nmbt.co.za.