world cup 2010 gallery : Gemany National Team history

germany in world cup - 1954

world cup legends : Lothar Matthaus

One of the most successful players in World Cup history, Lothar Herbert Matthaus could teach his rivals a few things about tabloid scandal, rowing with team-mates and bosses and, crucially, captaining a team to World Cup glory while leading by shining example. Matthaus is not necessarily a popular man in Germany and has long been in exile as he seeks - in vain - to find a career in coaching to somehow match a glorious 21 years of playing at the very top, but few can doubt his legend.

world cup legends : Franz Beckenbauer

A privileged few have experienced the honour of captaining their country to World Cup glory. Just two have won the competition as player and manager. But only one man has completed the hat-trick by 'winning' the World Cup as an administrator as well. It is hardly surprising, then, that the great Franz Beckenbauer will always be inextricably and inescapably associated with football's greatest competition.

world cup 2010 teams : Germany

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Three-time FIFA World Cup™ winners Germany are usually there or thereabouts when the honours are handed out, and the current national squad will head for South Africa with their sights and expectations set appropriately high. After triumphing in Switzerland in 1954, on home soil in 1974 and in Italy in 1990, the team now coached by Joachim Low are aiming to hoist the most prestigious trophy in the world's favourite sport for the fourth time.