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What It Takes To Play For The DFB-11

By: Nick | November 6th, 2009 | No Comments »

So what does it take to be nominated to play for the German national team? Well you have to be a German citizen of course and identify strongly with Germany for sure, but are there secrets to being consistently nominated or to get that crucial first nomination? Recently Aaron Hunt, Stefan Kiessling, Thomas Müller have been selected to represent the Nationalmannschaft in the final matches of the year. Here is a glimpse into how they did it.

Aaron Hunt has been rumored to be pursued by England. When was the last time you saw a volley like that? Right here. No wonder even England wants him – an accolade that has never been given to our players. Furthermore, Werder has had a great season thus far thanks to the creative triumvirate of Hunt, Marin, and Özil. These players have an understanding of each other extending from their club and it should be natural to play them together in a friendly – that is if they get a chance to play at all.

Maybe you have to just be consistently in form so that you can’t be ignored. Certainly that seems the case for Stefan Kiessling. After missing out for the last qualification match in October, Kiessling remains the Bundesliga’s top scorer and has finally made it back to the fold. Let’s hope this time his outing is not as unimpressive as the one against Norway.

Perhaps you need an unmistakeably impressive name like the one Thomas Müller has. Of course it also helps that Müller has living up to his name and performing consistenly whenever he is not suspended. Müller has a lot to learn, but he can be just the element of surprise sorely needed by Bayern at least.

Finally there is the strange case of Thomas Hitzlsperger. It has often been said that some of the best players do not visibly contribute to the team, but their presence somehow effects a better result. Dietmar Hamann for example for Liverpool in the miraculous 2005 Champions League Final did this. Hitzlsperger on the other hand has lately been benched because of his lack at form at Stuttgart. Considering that he is the team captain the action was quite an understatement. Maybe players like Mats Hummels have not been impressive as of late, but surely they deserve the nod over Hitzlsperger? Apparently not…

Let’s hope in any event the players selected redeem their nomination, contribute to the team, and live up to the jersey they are wearing….

Tags: Players

More Germany World Cup News

Löw Nominates Hunt, Müller, Kießling

By: Nick | November 6th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

Jogi Löw
For the friendly matches against Chile (Köln) and the Ivory Coast (Gelsenkirchen) Löw has nominated the England prospect Aaron Hunt, the mercurial Thomas Müller, the Bundesliga topscorer Stefan Kießling, and of course the ever present Thomas Hitzlsperger.
Overall this is a good selection, but one wonders why a player like Hitzlsperger merits ... [read]

Thank You Finland

By: Nick | October 14th, 2009 | 16 Comments »

The crowd was right to jeer a hapless first-half performance by an “experimental” German side in Hamburg in the final DFB 2010 World Cup qualification fixture. With a ninth win the 2010 qualification campaign would have been Germany’s most successful ever. Thanks to a determined Finnish side and some horrible performances by a team arranged ... [read]

5 Conclusions: Russia 0-1 Germany (and beyond)

By: Jan | October 11th, 2009 | 15 Comments »

Nick already covered the individual performances of the players, so I’ll just focus on some of the other things I noticed.
1. All is well that ends well. Well, at least the realization that this team can up its’ game when needed is encouraging. In previous games there had always been a little ... [read]

Russia 0:1 Germany – Adler Secures & Klose Scores

By: Nick | October 10th, 2009 | 6 Comments »

Despite the unfamiliarity with the artificial turf and the hostility of a fervent 80000 strong Russian crowd in Luzhniki Stadium Moscow, the DFB-Elf secured their ticket to South Africa 2010. Here are the ratings for the team with more analysis to follow after a thorough celebration…

Adler – 8.5 : Adler was as ... [read]

Klose Celebrates

By: Nick | October 10th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

With his 48TH national team goal Miroslav Klose (in 96 appearances) has not only secured Germany’s ticket to South Africa, but has also climbed to 3RD in the all time German goal table behind Gerd Müller (68) and Joachim Streich (52). Klose celebrated his 1-0 goal by somersaulting in the air and landing awkwardly – undoubtedly because of lack ... [read]

Just The Facts

By: Nick | October 8th, 2009 | 11 Comments »

The national team landed early in Moscow ahead of their crucial Group 4 encounter thanks to a tailwind from Germany – perhaps it is a good sign? Here are the facts…
Germany has never lost a World Cup Qualifier away from home.
Germany has always qualified for every World Cup it has entered.
Germany’s biggest margin of victory ever was 16-0 against Russia ... [read]

The Making of Günter Netzer’s Hair

By: Jan | September 14th, 2009 | 1 Comment »

There are many legendary football players. There are many legendary hair styles. But only a select few managed to combine the two. Germany and Borussia Mönchengladbach playmaker Günter Netzer is one who had the hair of legends.
This post sets out to tell its’ story.
Season 1965/1966 to 1966/1967

Here’s the template from which ... [read]

Home Improvement

By: Nick | September 11th, 2009 | 8 Comments »

Wins against South Africa and Azerbaijan were expected this past international week. What wasn’t were the positive signals that Germany is gaining momentum ahead of the World Cup. Still there are persisting questions regarding the Nationalmannschaft ahead of the crucial game in Moscow against Russia. For now let’s explore the winners and ... [read]

60 Years Triple Stripe – New Germany Jersey

By: Nick | September 1st, 2009 | 6 Comments »

Years ending in nine mark big anniversaries in German history. Accordingly, 2009 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the Federal Republic and also twenty years from the glorious blunder that resulted in the fall of the Berlin Wall. Celebrating alongside Germany’s triumphs is Adidas – a company that has become synonymous with German ... [read]

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Latest Comments

Löw Nominates Hunt, Müller, Kießling

Comment by Michel-Olivier
-------------------adler(neuer)----------------- beck(boateng)--westermann--mertesacker--Lahm sch ...[read more]
Löw Nominates Hunt, Müller, Kießling

Comment by Nick
Yes, I would rather not get a stop and desist letter in the US or worse a straight up fine when I am ...[read more]
Löw Nominates Hunt, Müller, Kießling

Comment by Jan
This photo is proving to be very useful. :-) I had hoped but didn't expect to see Hummels or Höw ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Nick
Looks like we are in for a treat after all. Ivory Coast instead of Egypt. That should keep Neuer bus ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Jan
@Wa'el: I think both Neuer and Wiese have played flawless seasons so far. I'm at a point though, whe ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Wa'el
Jan I agree, I have no idea how I forgot Höwedes. 100% in on this deal ;) and also Hummels is worth ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Ash
@ eclipse: You might have a point there.. maybe it's blocking his vision or something who knows? Wha ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Arminius
Maybe Löw is a strategic wizzkid: deceiving future opponents about his REAL options ... ;-) ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Arminius
eclipse: You may sound silly but I've got a hunch you may have got a point there.;-) ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by eclipse
i think gomez should cut his hair back to crew cut....the only time i remember he was imperious in ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Julie
The good news is Hitzlsperger did not come out with any credit and Westermann does not play for VfB! ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Michel-Olivier
low should try a 4-1-3-2 experiment adler boateng(friedrich)-howedes-mertesacker-lahm rolfes ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Jan
"Now, guys to actually seriously consider: Keißling, Müller, Badstuber and Kroos. I do not see any ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Mukhe
i missed the fixture so i cant comment on the game and the perfomance that players put up. However, ...[read more]
Thank You Finland

Comment by Wa'el
Well, this experimental team showed how many selected players are seriously lacking at international ...[read more]

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