Lehmann, Friedrich, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Lahm, Hitzlsperger, Frings, Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Klose.
These were the starters for Germany in the Euro 2008 final against Spain. Without doubt, it was a very good team. Still, their road to the final was very laborious and exposed several weaknesses in the German squad. Their central defenders and strikers were off form, and their midfield lacked personnel who could lure and beat defenders in one-on-one situations. Still, the Germans’ resolve and team-based mentality, their 'Teamgeist', was enough to see them through to the final, which they ultimately lost.
Fast-forward two years, and the situation is profoundly different. Ageing and off-form members of the old guard, such as Lehmann, Friedrich, Metzelder, Hitzlsperger and Frings have already made way for the likes of Rene Adler, Marcel Schaefer, Heiko Westermann, Piotr Trochowski and Simon Rolfes.
But even those changes have been altered, thanks to the emergence of Germany as the homeland of Europe’s most talented youths. Creative midfielders Mesut Oezil and Marko Marin have become regular call-ups to Loew’s squad, and the likes of Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller, Aaron Hunt, Sami Khedira and Manuel Neuer all have the chance of breaking into Jogi Loew’s starting XI.
Perhaps most importantly, the current crop of German youths have been christened with nationalistic winning spirit: since 2006, Germany have won European Championships at the U-17, U-19 and U-21 levels, experiences I’ve
previously claimed to be invaluable for the senior team.
Despite the emergence of such abundant talent, the 2010 World Cup might come too soon for Germany. Looking back on the problems faced in 2008, only the midfield issue has been addressed, and among the plethora of budding stars, only Oezil and Marin have any experience with the senior side. With just four friendlies before the World Cup begins, there may not be enough time for Loew to reshuffle his midfield.
The issue of central defense, on the other hand, has been entirely ignored. While Benedikt Hoewedes, Mats Hummels and Holger Badstuber have emerged as high-quality options as centre-halves, Loew has ignored the three youngsters, and it is unlikely that any of them will play a significant role at the World Cup. Per Mertesacker will retain his role, and will likely be paired with Heiko Westermann to form a duo that was both slow and error-prone in World Cup Qualifiers and friendlies.
Up front, the situation is even more dire. Mario Gomez has yet to prove his worth in a German shirt, and Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose have scored a combined two league goals this season. With Patrick Helmes unlikely to have much playing time for Leverkusen and Kevin Kuranyi frozen out of Loew’s squad, Stefan Kiessling and Cacau might be the only worthy pure strikers. Whilst the current top scorer and most in-form hit man in the Bundesliga may at first seem like ideal options, Kiessling’s lack of form since the winter break has been troubling, and the fact remains that neither he nor Cacau are experienced at international level. Unfortunately, the only young German striker earning regular play at club level is Thomas Mueller, and because he tends to play a midfield or second striker role, he is unlikely to start as Loew’s target man.
While Germany remain among the top contenders for World Cup glory, the 2010 squad will be a transitional one. As Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose fade into the sunset, a new generation emerges, raw and brimming with potential. Because stars like Ballack, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger have always performed for their country like clockwork, how far Germany go in the World Cup will be largely dependent upon how well the newcomers can step into their roles.
However, keeping in mind the tragedy of Sebastian Deisler, who suffered bouts of clinical depression after carrying the weight of a nation’s footballing hopes on his shoulders, Loew will be especially careful not to overburden any of his rising stars. As amazing as it might be on paper, don’t expect Loew to field an attacking midfield comprised of Oezil, Kroos and Marin supporting Mueller. Not this year, at least, but perhaps at Euro 2012.
For Germany fans, the next decade is something to look forward to; with the changing of the guard comes even greater potential. Regardless of what happens this summer, the best is yet to come…
