Team News: Germany

Germany have the luxury of playing their last two matches in Group D with the knowledge that they have already qualified for Euro 2008 finals.

It's been a typically efficient German route to qualification. Under the astute guidance of Joachim Low, Germany were the first team to earn their place at the finals alongside joint hosts Austria and Switzerland.

Highlight of the qualifying stage for Germany was their 13-0 ass-kicking-run-home-to-momma win over San Marino. In the process Germany set a new record in the European Championship by surpassing the previous best set by Spain of 12-1 against Malta.

Not a lot was known outside of Germany of the merits of coach Joachim Low. He was assistant coach to Jurgen Klinsman at the last World Cup where Germany received critical acclaim for their brand of exciting football. When Klinsman resigned he said a lot of the credit for the tactics and attacking football was down to his number two.

A short time in the job coach Law has already impressed the big cheeses of German football who have extended his contract by two more years. Many will look forward to a continuance of the attractive football he has so far been associated with.