World Cup: Germany v England
Erica, dedicated soccer fan that she is, was devastated by yesterday's game, but she's glad to have us here to help take her mind off it. She's also quite excited for what should be the first genuinely classic game of this World Cup. England and Germany have a long-standing and fierce soccer rivalry, and these games are normally finals, or semi-finals. This time, it's the first knock out stage. Forget however these teams have performed so far, not only do they have to win to stay in the tournament, but for both teams, losing to the other is more painful than almost any other possible loss. Still not sold on soccer? Still convinced not much ever happens? Chances are, this is the game for you. Erica may well be relieved to not have an emotional investment here, but I definitely can't say the same for your host. Sorry.
Germany v England
June 27 2010
4pm local/ 3pm GMT/ 10am EST/ 7am PST
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Last 16 Game 3
Germany
Coach - Joachim Loew has been in charge since just after the 2006 World Cup and led Germany to the Euro 2008 final.
Key Players - Philipp Lahm (RB), Mesut Oezil (AM), Lukas Podolski (F), Miroslav Klose (F)
Total Goals of Key Players - 94
World Ranking - 6
World Cup Finals Appearances - 16
Last Ten Results -
10/10/09 vs Russia - Won 1-0
10/14/09 vs Finland - Tie 1-1
11/18/09 vs Cote D'Ivoire - Tie 2-2
3/3/10 vs Argentina - Lost 1-0
5/13/10 vs Malta - Won 3-0
5/29/10 vs Hungary - Won 3-0
6/3/10 vs Bosnia-Herzegovina - Won 3-1
6/13/10 vs Australia - Won 4 - 0
6/18/10 vs Serbia - Lost 1-0
6/23/10 vs Ghana - Won 1-0
Achievements - Have won both the World Cup and European Championships 3 times.
England
Coach - Fabio Capello. In charge since January 2008. Has won the domestic title with every club he has coached in his career (AC Milan, Roma, Juventus, Real Madrid). Also won the Champions League.
Key Players - John Terry (CB), Steven Gerrard (AM), Frank Lampard (AM), Wayne Rooney (ST)
Total Goals of Key Players - 68
World Ranking - 8
World Cup Finals Appearances - 13
Last Ten Results -
9/9/09 v Croatia - Won 5-1
10/10/09 v Ukraine - Lost 1-0
10/14/09 v Belarus - Won 3-0
11/14/09 v Brazil - Lost 1-0
3/3/10 v Egypt - Won 3-1
5/24/10 v Mexico - Won 3-1
5/30/10 v Japan - Won 2-1
6/12/10 v USA - Tie 1-1
6/18/10 v Algeria - Tie 0-0
6/23/10 v Slovenia - Won 1-0
Achievements - Won the World Cup only once, in 1966.
Head to Head
England and Germany have a long and acrimonious soccer history. This will be the 28th time the teams have met, and the 5th time in a World Cup. Though England have won 12 of those matches to Germany's 10, and scored 47 goals to Germany's 34, they haven't won a World Cup match against Germany since the 1966 final - the first World Cup meeting between the sides, the result of which is still disputed.
Rosters
Germany's starting 11:
1-Manuel Neuer;
16-Philipp Lahm,
3-Arne Friedrich,
17-Per Mertesacker,
20-Jerome Boateng,
13-Thomas Mueller,
6-Sami Khedira,
7-Bastian Schweinsteiger,
10-Lukas Podolski,
8-Mesut Ozil,
11-Miroslav Klose.
England's Starting 11:
1-David James;
2-Glen Johnson,
15-Matthew Upson,
6-John Terry,
3-Ashley Cole;
16-James Milner,
4-Steven Gerrard,
8-Frank Lampard,
14-Gareth Barry;
19-Jermain Defoe,
10-Wayne Rooney.