There’s an interesting look to the German starting eleven for the team’s first fixture of 2015, with both skipper Bastian Schweinsteiger and ‘keeper Manuel Neuer rested with Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira taking the captain’s armband and Hanover 96’s Ron-Robert Zieler
A new year, a fresh start
2014 would end on a sound note following the hard-earned 1-0 friendly win over Spain in a damp and blustery Vigo, and 2015 starts for the Nationalmannschaft with another friendly, against Australia in Kaiserslautern. After a few days’ break the
Germany v Gibraltar: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
When your team wins 4-0, there is usually no reason to complain. Yet the reaction in Germany after their fourth game in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 would see plenty of consternation and more hand-wringing. The Nationalmannschaft had registered
Germany fail to ignite as they dispose of defensive Gibraltar
In perhaps the most one-sided contest since David versus Goliath – OK, Germany versus San Marino – the Nationalmannschaft take on UEFA’s newest member Gibraltar at the Grundig-Stadion – otherwise known as the Frankenstadion – in Nürnberg. After two disappointing
Germany v Republic of Ireland: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
When the draw was made for the Euro 2016 qualifiers, nobody would be questioning Germany’s dominance. Even before their World Cup triumph in Brazil, their place in France would be more or less guaranteed. There would be little to fear
Tired Germany stunned by late Irish surge
A year and three days after their last meeting in Köln, Germany host the Republic of Ireland at the the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, looking to erase the bad memories of the previous Saturday’s defeat in Poland and get their Euro
Poland v Germany: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
History would be made in Warsaw as the recently-crowned world Champions took on Poland in Warsaw, but not in the way anyone had expected. Lukas Podolski wouldn’t return to the land of his birth would score a hat-trick and take
A rare evening in Warsaw
So, after the closely-fought 2-1 win over Scotland in Dortmund the Nationalmannschaft are back in action against neighbours Poland in Warsaw. Adam Nawałka’s side come into the game off the back of a seven-goal thrashing of group minnows Gibraltar, and
Three months can make a massive difference
On the evening of 13th July 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, the victorious German team were proudly showing off their recently-acquired World Cup trophy. It was the result of a masterful campaign by the squad and Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw, and
Dropping like flies again
I have always been in two minds about the international season starting so early, particularly during a World Cup year. Despite it being almost two months after the Nationalmannschaft’s triumph in Rio there is still something of a sluggishness, with
A World Cup encore, then down to business
It has now been over a month since Germany’s historic victory over Argentina in the World Cup final in Rio, and it still seems like yesterday. The memories are still warm, but the time has come for the start of
A Thing of Beauty
Over the past month and a bit it has been a busy time. Over forty articles and reports covering the buildup, the tournament, the reviews and the tributes – with more to come as I round off what has been