World Cup Germany picks its World Cup squad
Coach: Jürgen Klinsmann, seen here walking past a cardboard cut-out of team captain Michael Ballack, isn't scared of controversy and has sprung a number of surprises in naming his squad.
Goalkeeper Nr 2: Oliver Kahn, long Germany's undisputed Nr 1, has been relegated to substitute. But despite the humiliation, he's decided to stay in the team.
Goalkeeper Nr 1: Jens Lehmann, 36, of Arsenal London, has ousted "Football Titan" Oliver Kahn as Germany's Number One goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper 3: Timo Hildebrand, 27, of VfB Stuttgart has proved he can rise to the challenge when called on -- which is unlikely to happen given that he's substitute to the substitute goalkeeper.
Defender 1: Marcell Jansen, 20, is a promising and versatile defender but unlikely to be in Klinsmann's starting line-up.
Defender 2: Injury-plagued Christoph Metzelder, 25, hasn't played many matches for his club Dortmund in recent months.
Defender 3: Robert Huth (21) has spent many matches on Chelsea's bench this season and is hoping to impress his club and his country in the World Cup.
Defender 4: Arne Friedrich, 26, of Hertha BSC, has shown improving form in recent months.
Defender 5: Per Mertesacker of Hannover 96 is a solid defender and occasionally even scores goals from set pieces.
Defender 6: Philipp Lahm has recovered well from injury and delivered solid performances at Bayern Munich.
Defender 7: Jens Nowotny, 32, of Bayer Leverkusen, has been injured so often that few believed he would make a comeback into the national team. But Klinsmann values this seasoned player and hopes he will be able to shore up Germany's young and shaky defence.
Midfielder 1: Sebastian Kehl, 25, of Dortmund.
Midfielder 2: Tim Borowski, 25, of Werder Bremen, is dangerous in fromt of goal and a good tackler.
Midfielder 3: Bernd Schneider, 32, of Bayer Leverkusen, is among the team's most experienced players. He's likely to be part of Klinsmann's starting line-up of 11.
Midfielder 4: Torsten Frings (29) was long plagued by injury, but coach Klinsmann is a fan of this defensive midfield player.
Midfielder 5: Bastian Schweinsteiger, 21, of FC Bayern been part of Bayern's starting lineup for only half the club's game this season. Fast, skilful and able to weave his way through defenders, he could prove a huge asset, if he returns to the form he displayed in last year's Confederations Cup.
Midfielder 6: Captain Michael Ballack is germany's great hope although his performance hasn't been especially impressive recently. Germany is hoping he can return to world class form for the World Cup now that his move to Chelsea from Bayern Munich is certain.
Midfielder 7: Thomas Hitzlsperger, 23, hasn't shone in recent weeks at his club VfB Stuttgart.
Striker 1: Werder Bremen's Miroslav Klose is the top goalscorer in the Bundesliga but has yet to prove that he can score when it really counts. In the 2002 world Cup he scored 5 goals -- all in the first round.
Striker 2: Rising star Lukas Podolski (20) was unable to prevent the relegation of his club 1. FC Cologne and is moving to top Bundesliga club Bayern Munich next season.
Striker 3: Gerald Asamoah, 27, an established Germany striker, has appeared fitter than ever before at Schalke 04 recently.
Striker 4: Borussia Mönchengladbach's Oliver Neuville, 32, has been in good form recently.
Striker 5: Wolfsburg's Mike Hanke, 22, has been barred from playing in the first two matches because of a red card in the Confederations Cup last July. But Klinsmann likes his aggressiveness and strength.
Striker 6: The nomination of Dortmund striker David Odonkor, who has so far only played in Germany's Under-21 team, came as a big surprise.
