As had been the case in 2012, Germany would kick off their footballing year against France – the second in two pre-arranged friendly encounters between the two sides. In Bremen the French had gone away with a 2-1 win against
Finally!
After a winter hiatus lasting the best part of three months, the Nationalmannschaft’s schedule for 2013 would finally get underway in Paris against France, an opponent against which a victory was long overdue. The French had spoiled Germany’s party in
Netherlands v Germany: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
This was billed as a prestige friendly to end the calendar year, and seen by some as the third chapter in a three-part series that had started with the Mannschaft’s 3-0 win in Hamburg a year previously. Given the almost
Changes, changes…
It’s not often that I shoehorn in another squad news update in between the posting the initial squad selection and the pre-match preview, but following this weekend’s league fixtures and what can only be described as a glut of injuries
Germany v Sweden: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
Having handed out six of the best to the Republic of Ireland four days earlier, confidence in the German camp would be high ahead of a return home to Berlin and the game against Sweden.
Germany collapse from Swedish Elm disease
Three goals up at half-time. Four to the good an hour in. Some fantastic one-touch football, some of the best stuff we have seen from the Nationalmannschaft this year. Two goals from Miroslav Klose to see him go one behind
Republic of Ireland v Germany: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
After the semi-final failure at Euro 2012, a disappointing friendly home defeat to Argentina and two fairly insipid and uninspired performances in September in their opening two World Cup qualifying matches, Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw found himself under pressure for what
Demolition in Dublin: Six of the Best
It’s a cool but dry evening in Dublin, and the home side take to the field in their traditional green and white ensemble with Germany in their familiar Schwarz und Weiß.
Republic of Ireland v Germany: Will German eyes be smiling?
After two wins in their opening two fixtures against the Faroe Islands and Austria, Joachin Löw’s side face a far tougher double-header – with the first match in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland followed by a home meeting with
Austria v Germany: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
After the expected but not wholly convincing victory over the Faroe Islands in their opening World Cup qualifying fixture in Hannover, the pressure would be on Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw and his side to deliver a more convincing performance against neighbours
Groundhog Day in Vienna
There are no surprises from German Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw this time, as the team is pretty much as we all expected. The fit-again Marcel Schmelzer is in at left back with Holger Badstuber moving back inside and Per Mertesacker on
To sing or not to sing? The Nationalhymne Debate
The subject would be broached in the wake of the semi-final defeat at Euro 2012, and would continue to rumble through the summer as former footballers, coaches and politicians found themselves with something to say. The singing of the Nationalhymne,