Team: Germany

Hope rather than expectation

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Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
Captain: Michael Ballack
Winners: 1954, 1974, 1990
Pitted against: Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador
Prospects: Buoyed by home support, expect Germany to reach the quarter-finals at least
Odds: 8-1

Far from the ideal build up for the host nation who, among other things, have seen preparations disrupted by player and manager disputes. But Steve Staunton won't complain as the Republic of Ireland boss monitors Germany's situation from afar ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifier in Stuttgart on September 2nd, writes Paul O'Hehir

Rookie manager Jurgen Klinsmann remains quietly confident about lifting the trophy for the first time since 1990 but commentators and supporters alike do not share his optimism. Disjointed friendly performances - most notably the 4-1 defeat to Italy - have irked supporters while leading soccer officials feel Klinsmann's handling of Oliver Kahn's demotion was poor.

Moreover, the former captain has not exactly enamoured himself to the public since his appointment in 2004, prompting some respected figures to call for his head. Klinsmann, you see, bases himself in the United States and, more often than not, mulls over reports from his assistants when factoring the make-up of squads.

But he steadfastly defends his decision to live in southern California, claiming that he spends two weeks of each month in Germany. When Stateside, he communicates with players and coaches via email and telephone. His backroom team of Oliver Bierhoff and Joachim Loew handle issues in his absence.

Indeed, Klinsmann's refusal to remain in Germany following that defeat to Italy for a World Cup workshop just days later - for which other managers travelled - annoyed Franz Beckenbauer who was left seething by the no-show. However, Der Kaiser, who is also Germany's organising committee president, has since performed a u-turn and is now - in public anyway - backing the manager to work miracles with a experimental, young national team.

"Beckenbauer advised me not to read any newspapers before the finals and I think I will do that," Klinnsman said recently.

In changing the guard, Klinsmann has been ruthless. Experienced Borussia Dortmund defender Christian Wörns will play no part in the finals after he questioned some of the new manager's early decisions. Klinsmann subsequently branded the player 'cheeky and disrespectful'. Also, former captain Kahn - who performed heroics in goal at the 2002 finals - is relegated to the bench in favour of Arsenal's Jens Lehmann. Michael Ballack takes the captain's armband.

These decisions have left former German international Stefan Effenberg , amongst others, cursing his former team-mate.

"I know Klinsmann and he will not give an inch," said Effenberg who has led calls for Klinsmann's removal. "The rest of the world is laughing at us and the others are losing respect."

Still, though, Germany must always command respect at major tournaments. They were winners 16 years ago but performances at major tournaments since, 2002 notwithstanding, have been anything but intimidating: as they were knocked out of USA ’94 by Bulgaria, trounced at France ’98 by Croatia, and finished bottom of their group at Euro 2000. In 2002, though, they surprised many when getting to the final against Brazil but then flopped spectacularly when failing to win a match at Euro 2004.

World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal), Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart)
Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Robert Huth (Chelsea), Marcell Jansen (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Hanover 96), Christoph Metzelder (Borussia Dortmund), Jens Nowotny (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Sebastian Kehl (Borussia Dortmund), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart)
Forwards: Gerald Asamoah (Schalke 04), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Lukas Podolski (Cologne), Mike Hanke (Werder Bremen), David Odonkor (Borussia Dortmund)