Former Barcelona Coach Pep Guardiola to Coach Bayern Munich

Pep Guardiola knows it will be tough to improve the Bayern Munich team he's taking over — and will settle for maintaining the level of success it reached this past season.
Bayern displayed the kind of dominance that Guardiola's Barcelona teams were known for, winning the Champions League, Bundesliga and then the German Cup - meaning the Spanish coach will have a tough task to follow in the footsteps of Jupp Heynckes, who was gently pushed toward retirement.
"I'm taking over a team that played extraordinarily. They won four titles, three plus the (German) Supercup against Borussia Dortmund," said Guardiola, who led Barcelona to Champions League triumphs in 2009 and 2011. "I'll try to reach the level set by my predecessor."
Speaking in impressive German on Monday for his first news conference as coach of the European champions, Guardiola said he was lured to Bayern "above all" by the club's players, management and history.

Pep Guardiola

"There are few teams in the world as special (as Barcelona). Bayern Munich is one of these teams. When Bayern called me it was an honor. That's why I'm here. I said, 'Prima.' I'm here for these players and this history," Guardiola said.
After greeting more than 240 journalists with the traditional Bavarian salutation of "Gruess Gott," Guardiola began by saying, "Today it's not only a pleasure, but a gift to be here."

Guardiola steered Barcelona to 14 titles over four seasons when the Spanish club was widely considered the best in the world, and the 42-year-old coach is expected to build on Bayern's unprecedented success last season to establish the club as football's new leading side.
 "My time in Barcelona was wonderful but I needed a new challenge and Bayern Munich have provided that opportunity. So I'm ready, for this reason, to do my best," he said. "I'm sure that everyone, the fans of Bayern Munich, will remain proud of their players."

Bayern Munich Logo

 Guardiola took a one-year sabbatical after coaching Barcelona, leading to a host of clubs vying for his services. But Bayern won the race, and his appointment on a three-year deal was announced in January."The bosses decided that I would be coach and that's what happened. They rang me," Guardiola said.

"We had talks, negotiations," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. "But from the first day you have the feeling that both sides wanted this partnership."Bayern president Uli Hoeness said Guardiola had always expressed enthusiasm for the job."He said, 'I can imagine working for Bayern.' Now he's here," Hoeness said.

Rummenigge said the club's domestic rivals will also benefit from Bayern having enlisted Guardiola as coach."Pep's presence here in the Bundesliga will enrich German football," the former striker said.

Guardiola, in his playing days a classy midfielder for Johan Cruyff's Barcelona, asked for time to settle into his new role, saying he still needed to get to know the players, assess the youth setup and the structures already in place.

"I need more time to get to know the Bundesliga perfectly," he said "I lived in New York a year and I watched all the games every weekend, especially Bayern's games. I think it's very, very good. It's not simple, this Bundesliga. I have to get used to the players and the opponents as soon as possible."He comes face to face with his former club on July 24 when Bayern plays Barcelona in a friendly in Munich.

"I don't know how I'll feel but it will be a special game for me," he said. "I'm here because of what I did in Barcelona. I'm sure it'll be a good game, a good preparation for the Supercup three days later against Borussia Dortmund."

Praised for his language skills, he pointed out that his German teacher is a Dortmund fan. "She wouldn't let me come here," he joked. After winning the treble last year, Bayern can add the European Supercup and Club World Cup in Guardiola's first season in charge.
He achieved that feat before, in 2009 with Barcelona, and the expectations on Bayern are likely to be sky-high for this upcoming season. Guardiola said repeatedly that he can handle those expectations.
"In big clubs you always have huge pressure," Guardiola said. "I have that pressure here, but I'm confident in myself. I'll take this huge challenge on, no problem. That's why I'm a coach."

UEFA Champions League 2013 Final: Bayern Munich triumph after last-gasp Robben goal

Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben slotted in an 89th minute winner as they defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 at Wembley stadium on Saturday to be crowned European champions for the fifth time.Dutchman Robben raced into the area and beat goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller in a stunning finale to the first all-German Champions League final.

Bayern, on the backfoot for much of the first half, struck on the hour with Robben cutting the ball back for Mario Mandzukic to poke home from close range.The German champions' joy was short-lived though as Dortmund levelled eight minutes later with Ilkay Guendogan's well-struck penalty awarded for a clumsy Dante challenge on Marco Reus.

Bayern Munich with Champions Trophy

Dortmund looked to be holding on for extra time before Robben broke free to score the winner and send the Bayern fans into raptures.Robben scored the winner with 90 seconds left on the close to break the hearts of Dortmund to crown Bayern Munich as the champions of Europe.
The Dutchman also provided the assist for Bayern's opening goal slotted home by Mandzukic before Gundogan equalised for Dortmund with a spot kick after a goalless first half.
This is Bayern's fifth European Cup and their first since 2001 and kept alive their hopes of a treble as they have already won the German league title and face VfB Stuttgart in the Cup final in Berlin next Saturday..

Bayern savoured victory after the disappointment of last season and in 2010 when they lost both finals.
"It's a final, we were at the same level, we both had our chances. I was able to push the ball through at the end," man of the match Robben said speaking to ZDF German TV."It means a lot to me. It's still hard to fathom. I'll be able to put it in words later. There are so many emotions right now, it's incredible.

Philip Lham with champions Trophy

"So many people told me I'd score a goal tonight. the first few chances I missed. I got another chance at the end and took advantage of it."Bayern join Liverpool on five European Cups and become the joint-third most successful club in competition's history behind Real Madrid and AC Milan.
The match, played at a ferocious pace, was full of superb attacking football and seemed destined for extra time until Robben burst through a gap in the defence and rounded outstanding Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller to score.Dortmund began at blistering pace which they maintained for almost 30 minutes with Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski pulverising the Bayern defence.

Lewandowski had the first of their seven first-half scoring chances, powering in a 30-metre shot which goalkeeper Manuel Neuer turned over the bar for a corner.Neuer also made a superb stop when he stuck out his left leg to prevent Jakub Blaszczykowski scoring from close range after he was set up by Lewandowski.Bayern were virtually over-run at the start but battled back to create five good scoring chances of their own - three falling to Robben who could well have netted a hat-trick by halftime.
A poor touch scuppered the first when he had only Weidenfeller to beat, and the goalkeeper stopped him again by taking a shot straight in the face when Robben had the goal gaping just before the break.

Arjen Robben after scoring winning goal

Weidenfeller also stopped a powerful goalbound header from Mandzukic after 26 minutes, tipping his powerful effort on to the bar and over.Both teams maintained the high tempo until the halftime break and the only surprise was that neither made the breakthrough after 45 breathtaking minutes of superb football.

The game continued to be end-to-end for most of the second half, but Bayern gradually took control as Dortmund faded.The nature of the first two goals also reflected the see-saw game with Dortmund equalising just eight minutes after Bayern scored.Robben was at the heart of that opening goal, providing the final cross for Mandzukic to sweep home with his left foot from close range but the lead only lasted eight minutes before Dante's rash challenge on Reus gave Dortmund the penalty from which Guendogan scored.In the end, the balance swung Bayern's way with Robben's stunning solo goal making Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes only the fourth man to win the European Cup with two clubs after leading Real Madrid to victory in 1998.

"We're proud but also disappointed," Dortmund defender Mats Hummels said.

"Especially when you lose in the 89th minute on an almost accidental goal like that. It's enormously bitter. But at the end it looked like we were getting a little bit tired and Bayern took advantage of that."

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said: "We didn't get into the game in the first half so I corrected a few things at the interval."There was pressure on both teams but we certainly felt the burden of being favourites in the first 20 minutes."

Dortmund's Klopp said: "First of all congratulations to Bayern. You have to respect the result."We were right in it, but at the end everything came together for Bayern and they finished off the game."

Dortmund stoppper Weidenfeller said: "We’re proud to have given Bayern a real game tonight. We played well but it wasn't meant to be."

Watch Live Stream online of Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund: The first all-German Champions League final

At the beginning of Champions League Round of 16, no one would have expected this year's final to be the first all-German showdown. The two rivals, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, edged past the Spanish giants in their respective semi-finals to set up the fourth UEFA Champions League final between teams from the same country.

While Germany's most prestigious club, Bayern Munich, was one the favorites to make the final this year, their arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund - who were tagged as underdogs in the tournament - have surprised everyone with their ferocious skills and talent.
Bayern Munich, valued at $1,309 million, are up against a team that is valued at a mere $456 million - a fact that has attracted a lot of support for Borussia Dortmund and irks the football big shots. The darlings of soccer nerds and people who dislike rich clubs, BVB have transformed themselves into giant killers from being just the underdogs.

The yellow German powerhouse faced their biggest test in the Champions League semi-finals against Real Madrid - one of the most successful clubs in the tournament's history. But, to everyone's surprise, BVB stunned the Spanish giants 3-2 on aggregate to make the tournament final.

On the other hand, Bayern Munich were able to dictate their terms against Barcelona during their semi-finals tie. Jupp Heynckes' men annihilated the Spanish superstars 7-0 on aggregate to announce their arrival at the tournament final.
After dominating the German Bundesliga for two years in a row, Jurgen Klopp's men lost the title to their arch-rivals Bayern Munich this season - a fact that makes this year's Champions League final more exciting.

While Bayern Munich have reportedly planned their Champions League victory party in advance - after booking the Great Room in the Grosvenor House Hotel with a buffet for 1,800 people and a bar extension to 5am, their track record in the tournament final speaks otherwise.

The Bavarians have reached ten European Cup/UEFA Champions League finals and have lost six of them with their most recent heartbreak against Chelsea last season. The last time Bayern won the title was back in 2001 against Valencia with 5-4 victory on penalties.The Champions League final this year will be more than just about the silverware between these two wherein Borussia Dortmund will be looking to avenge their Bundesliga title defeat against Bayern Munich - who will be eyeing their fifth tournament title this season.

players to watch from Borussia Dortmund:

Robert Lewandowski:The 24-year-old Polish footballer has been the livewire for Jurgen Klopp's squad out upfront. With 10 sensational goals for Dortmund, the hot-shot striker is the second top goal-scorer after Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League this season. Lewangoalski also became the first player to score four goals in a Champions League semifinal during Dortmund's 4-1 win over Real Madrid 4-1 in the first leg. He is also the top goal-scorer in the Bundesliga this year with 25 goals for Dortmund.

Marco Reus: The 23-year-old German winger is known for his versatility, speed and technique. The 2012 Footballer of the Year in Germany has scored four goals for Dortmund in the Champions League this season. He instigated numerous Dortmund moves against Real Madrid in the semi-finals to sink the Spanish giants. Dortmund's young gun has also scored 14 goals for his side in the Bundesliga this year.

Players to watch  from Bayern Munich:

Thomas Muller:The 23-year-old German star has been a goal-machine for Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season. With 8 goals to his name, Muller is placed third top goal-scorer right behind Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski in the Champions League this season. The winger has also scored 13 goals in the Bundesliga this season for Bayern.

Thomas Muller

Bastian Schweinsteiger:The 28-year-old German footballer is the key to Bayern Munich's midfield play. His capability to play out wide or in a more central role makes him an ideal player to have in your team. His backheel flick goal against Eintracht Frankfurt on April 6, 2013 sealed the Bundesliga title for Bayern Munich. Schweini scored a total of seven goals for Bayern in the Bundesliga this season.

Probable Line-up(from):
Bayern Munich:Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Mandzukic.
Borussia Dortmund:Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Bender, Gundogan, Grosskreutz, Blaszczykowski, Reus, Lewandowski.

Do You Know:

- Germany would become fourth country to have both its clubs featuring in the finals (Borussia Dortmund-Bayern Munich in 2013), after Spain (Real Madrid-Valencia CF in 2000), Italy (Milan-Juventus in 2003) and England (Manchester United FC-Chelsea FC in 2008).
- Borussia Dortmund were the first German club to win a European title when they won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1966.

- Bayern Munich have won four and lost three of seven UEFA competition ties against German rivals.

- Bayern Munich's victory would make Heynckes the 19th coach to have won the European Cup twice, following his 1998 success with Real Madrid.

- Bayern Munich's 2-5 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the 2012 DFB-Pokal final was their worst ever loss in a final.

- The rivalry between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich reached to a new height when Dortmund edged past Bayern on a 1-0 aggregate in the 1998 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

- In 2002, manager Matthias Sammer became the first person in Borussia Dortmund history to win the Bundesliga as a player and manager with their third Bundesliga title.

- Borussia Dortmund are one of four German clubs to win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double along with Bayern Munich, 1. FC Koln, and Werder Bremen.

- Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich were carded a record of 15 times in a match played on 7 April 2001.

- Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski became the first player to score four goals in a Champions League semifinal where Dortmund thrashed Real Madrid 4-1 in the first leg.

Stay with us for Live stream video of Bayern Munich Vs Borussia Dortmund when the Match begin

Champions League semifinal: Dortmund survive Real comeback to reach final

German Giant Borussia Dortmund survived a spirited Real Madrid fightback to book their place in the Champions League final on Tuesday going through 4-3 on aggregate despite conceding two late goals to lose 2-0 at the Bernabeu.

Real looked down and out before late goals from substitute Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos gave them hope.But needing three goals to overturn the 4-1 deficit, Real left it too late for their comeback as Dortmund just held on to reach the final.
Benzema scored from close range in the 83rd minute and Ramos struck five minutes later but Dortmund survived some anxious moments during six minutes of injury time even as the Real fans were going wild in the stands.

Real Madrid Vs Dortmund

Jose Mourinho's Real side paid the penalty for missing so many chances in the opening 25 minutes before Dortmund settled.As the home side committed more men forward in the second half Dortmund also squandered several opportunities of their own.
Dortmund, the European champions in 1997 on their only appearance in the final, will play German rivals Bayern Munich or Barcelona in the May 25 showpiece at Wembley stadium.
Dortmund can thank Hummels for an excellent performance in keeping Real at bay for the majority of the game. Ronaldo did not have the best of nights. 

Real Madrid Striker's Ronaldo look upset  After the match was over

For all their effort, Real had nothing to show for the first half after being guilty of missing several chances. Ozil was especially guilty of wasting a great opportunity. Dortmund lost Gotze early on to apparent injury. 

Lewandowski did not have much of an impact under some tough defending from Ramos. A dejected Real manager Jose Mourinho said he may not remain as Real Madrid coach next season and plans to be "where people love me to be".But he was full of praise for the manner in which they fought back."I don't forget the first match when we were very, very bad and we have been punished for that, not for tonight.

"Today we were a team, with character and desire, and we could have done it."They had a couple of big chances but because of how we were playing at the end where we risked everything."

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said: "It's a shame. Sometimes you lose, that is football. In Dortmund we should have played the way we did tonight. We feel for the fans. It's a shame to have been so close but the missed chances in the first half were costly."
Dortmund defender Mats Hummels was elated."Getting to a Champions League final is a dream come true for all of us. Especially at a famous stadium like Wembley," he said.

"It's unbelievable; something everyone in the team dreamed of since being an child. Some of us are still children. We are looking forward to Wembley.""We got the result we wanted in the end. We knew if they scored the crowd would get behind them."With Spanish King Juan Carlos watching from the VIP tribune and chants of "Yes we can!" echoing around Real's giant arena, the supporters unveiled an enormous mosaic depicting the Champions League trophy before kickoff.

Real's fired-up players took the game to Dortmund early on and Gonzalo Higuain drew a smart save from Roman Weidenfeller in the fourth minute.

Dortmund looked nervous but managed to get forward and Robert Lewandowski volleyed straight at Diego Lopez in the 13th minute before Cristiano Ronaldo had an almost identical chance moments later which Weidenfeller again did well to keep out.

After Dortmund playmaker Mario Goetze was forced off injured in the 14th minute, his Germany team mate Mesut Ozil had a golden chance to open Real's account when he was clean through on goal but his low strike flew narrowly wide of the post.

RESTLESS FANS

With Dortmund pressuring the Real players and denying them time on the ball, the home support began to get restless as the chances for the hosts started to dry up.

By halftime the Dortmund fans were starting to make themselves heard and the "Yes we cans!" seemed increasingly half-hearted.

As the second half began, Real's Portuguese coach Mourinho cut a worried-looking figure on the side of the pitch and striker Benzema immediately began to warm up.

Dortmund had two chances early in the second period and both fell to Lewandowski, who scored all four of the German side's goals in last week's 4-1 first leg victory.

The Poland forward struck a wild shot over the bar in the 49th minute and then raced clear onto a Marco Reus pass a minute later but smashed his effort against the crossbar.

Mourinho made a double substitution in the 57th minute when Benzema and Kaka replaced Higuain and Fabio Coentrao but it was Dortmund who looked more threatening by that stage.

Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez somehow managed to scramble across to deny Ilkay Guendogan who had the goal at his mercy and Lewandowski's shot was blocked by Michael Essien in the 76th.

Ozil crossed for Benzema to give Real a sliver of hope seven minutes from time and Ramos then smashed the ball into the roof of the net to set up a frantic finale but it was all too late.
 

Real Madrid 2 Borussia Dortmund 0

(Dortmund go through on aggregate 4-3)

GOALS

Benzema 82, Ramos 88

YELLOW CARDS

Real Madrid

Coentrao, Higuaín, Ramos, Khedira

Dortmund

Gündoğan, Bender, Weidenfeller

UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Watch Live Streaming of Bayern Munich Vs Juventus

Juventus v Bayern Munich Football Match will be played on 10.04.2013 in the Juventus Stadium (Torino) for a UEFA Champions League match. Carlos Velasco‎ will be the referee for this match.

Juventus hasn’t lost a match in all of their Champions League matches except against Bayern Munich in the first leg playing away. The score was 2-0. They will need to score goals if they were to go through and for them playing at home, I think they will score but to score more than 2 goals and keep a clean sheet will be tough for them.

Bayern Munich Vs Juventus Live stream

Juventus key players are A. Pirlo, M. Vučinić, S. Giovinco, F. Quagliarella and A. Matri.

Bayern Munich managed to score 2 goals playing at home in the first leg against Juventus, not a big scoreline but it could still be enough for them to go through. This match will be tough for Bayern Munich, but they have a lot of good players that can score when given the space.

Their key players are: T. Müller, B. Schweinsteiger, F. Ribéry, A. Robben, M. Mandžukić and M. Gómez, all of them have scored lots of goals and will be the players to look out for in this match.

We predict this match will end in a draw, both teams will score and Bayern Munich will go through on Aggregate.

But the result will be known only after the Match will be played.  Yours favorite Sports Portal from Nepal will bring  Live Stream of the Juventus Vs Bayern Munich to its readers and hope you all will enjoy the Match.

The match will begin on April 10, 2013 7:45 PM BST

Click Here to Watch UEFA Champions League Match Juventus Vs Bayern Munich. 

Michael Ballack announces retirement from Professional Football

Former Germany and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has retired from professional football at the age of 36. Ballack, who left Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season, confirmed the news via a statement from his lawyer. In a glittering career, Ballack started out at Chemnitzer FC before playing for Kaiserslautern, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, before once again returning to Leverkusen for two seasons to end his playing days. 

Michael Ballack 

"At 36 years old I can look back on a long and wonderful time in professional football, which I could never have dreamed of as a child," Ballack said.

"It was a privilege to work with world class coaches and fantastic players. Now I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life."

The midfielder won 98 caps for Germany, scoring 42 goals, during a career that saw him establish a reputation as one of Europe's finest players in his position. 

Michael Ballack

In four seasons with Chelsea following his arrival at Stamford Bridge on a free transfer from Bayern Munich prior to the 2006 World Cup, Ballack won one Premier League title, three FA Cups and one League Cup.

He made 167 appearances for the West London club, scoring 26 times, but suffered disappointment in 2007-08 when Chelsea lost in the finals of the Champions League and League Cup, as well as finishing second in the league.

Ballack won his first Bundesliga title in 1998 when, following a move from Chemnitz FC, he helped Kaiserslautern become the first promoted side to win the league in their first season back in the top flight.

He was named German Footballer of the Year on three occasions and at international level represented Germany at Euro 2000, 2004 and 2008, and the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

However, an injury suffered in the 2010 FA Cup final forced him to miss the following World Cup . Hope his new journey will lead him to the success. Please put your comments abot wonderful footballer

Euro Cup 2012: Semifinal Germany Vs Italy Live Stream Online

The second semifinal of Euro 2012 will decide another Finalist of Euro 2012 and the team that will play against another Finalist of Euro 2012 Spain for the Cup. Italy will go into their semi-final clash with Germany knowing they have the ability and experience to reach the final of Euro 2012.

Though Joachim Low’s side has looked the team to beat at this year’s tournament, Italy has plenty of strengths of their own and defensively, they have proved they are a tough nut to crack.

They also boast an incredible record against the Germans who haven’t beaten Italy in a major tournament in their previous seven attempts.

The Azzurri haven’t scored many goals, but with Mario Balotelli leading the line, anything is possible and if the City striker is in the mood, he could cause Germany plenty of problems.

And in Andrea Pirlo, Italy have one of the best midfielders in Europe pulling the strings, though the 33-year-old  Juventus star, possibly playing his last major tournament, is unlikely to get the kind of space and time he was afforded by England in this match.

Alongside Pirlo is Daniele De Rossi, who has done his reputation no harm over the past few weeks with a series of impressive displays for his country – it’s clear to see why Roberto Mancini admires the Roma midfielder so much.

Finally if Germany can get past a talented midfield and a powerful back four, they will be faced with one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Gianluigi Buffon.

De Rossi and Ignazio Abate both face late fitness tests while Christian Maggio is suspended – Giorgio Chiellini returned to training on Monday and is expected to play.

Of course, Germany will go into the game full of confidence having won all four of their games so far (compared with Italy’s record of one win in normal time so far from their four matches) and Mesut Özil believes destiny is calling for his country – yet again!

"We believe in ourselves and the goal is to return to Germany with the title,” said the Real Madrid midfielder.

“That's why we are here and I'm convinced we can do it. But we are concentrating on the here and now. We are looking forward to the semi, which will be very difficult. But we are confident we can beat anybody.

“Italy are surprisingly strong. You could also see that in the very good match they had against world champions Spain. I think they deserve to be in the semi-finals. They are compact, very strong, but in general we look only at ourselves. If we play as we can, I am convinced we will beat them."

The match, which takes place in Warsaw on Thursday, kicks off at 19:45 (UK time) or 00:30 NST. Stay with anantasports.com for Live streaming

Euro Cup Live Streaming online: Portugal VS Germany

9th of June will be the mighty day when the Germans will face the Portuguese which will surely be a flaming game. The match will be at Lviv where Potugal will be avenging the loss taken byTurkey 1-3 last week and Germany will be in full form after the recent end of a perfect season.
No doubt that this group is the toughest group of all but the Germans form a young enthusiastic team that would consider taking up anything on a sunny day but when you consider the straight wins from all the qualifier games. Germany’s football team has no doubt the strongest midfield in the world which is led by Mezut Ozil and sided by Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger. However Ozil and Khedira have spent time together at Real Madrid which will definitely prove vital to the team. And you can’t forget Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose who could score whenever, unexpectedly.
On the other hand is Portugal which can never forget the losing to Greece in 2004. However this is the time when the greatest threat to the opponent team comes from Cristiano Ronaldo. Wherever the Germans leave holes in the field, Ronaldo is sure to take advantage especially near the box. The coach is expecting to Ronaldo, Meirieles and Deco to take down the opponents. However, without the ball, the Portuguese have less hope and only defending would do in those spells but manager Bento will certainly take care of that.

Germany Vs Portugal

Match Details
Click here to get Live score of the match with Live Commentry

Watch Live streaming Match of GERMANY VS PORTUGAL

                                    OR

 Visit =  Spo-tech update
Group: B
Date: Saturday 3 June, 2012
Kick off Time: 18:45 GMT
Venue: Arena Lviv

Euro Cup 2012: Team Profile: Germany

There is less than 12 hours to begin the world’s one of the most exciting tournament euro Cup 2012 where all 16 qualified European giants will fight for the cup.

www.anantasports.com is bringing the profiles of all the participating team to its readers and here it is Germany. Gernany  is taking part in the tournaments under the guidance of coach Joachim Low. 

 Joachim Low’s side is one of the strongest team o not only the Europe but also the world. Germany is always considered as potential winner of any tournaments of Football.Germany qualified for the Euro 2012 as a  group winner of relatively weak qualifying Group  A ahead of Turkey, Belgium and Austria. Germany stormed through their qualifying campaign: they were the first to book their place in Poland and Ukraine, won every match, and earned more points than any other team. After a narrow win away to Belgium in their opener, the record European champions earned multi-goal victories in all their other fixtures but for one, a 2-1 road win over Austria in which Mario Gomez fired home a last-minute winner.

   Having won the European Championship three times in the past, Germany are the tournament's most successful nation. Their first win came in their first appearance, in 1972, in which legends including Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller, Paul Breitner and more marched through the tournament, beating the Soviet Union 3-0 in the final.

German Team for Euro 2012

Germany went on to repeat the triumph eight years later as Horst Hrubesch's late strike sunk Belgium in the final. After a poor 1984 tournament, they steadily improved before claiming their third title in 1996 as Oliver Bierhoff netted a golden goal in the final against the Czech Republic.
Germany's disaster at Euro 2000 prompted a youth initiative in the Bundesliga that has resulted in their vastly increased talent pool as of late, and after finishing runners-up at Euro 2008, they are hungry for a first tournament win in 16 years.

   Germany have have lifted the World Cup three times (across different generations in 1954, 1974, and 1990) - and they have also reached the final on another four occasions. As germany is in Group of Death of Euro 2012, even a single mistake can cause them a huge loss.

Coach Joachim Low:

Always dapper, Joachim Loew burst into the limelight as Jurgen Klinsmann's assistant at the 2006 World Cup. 'Jogi' was seen as the tactical genius behind the scenes as Germany thrilled their fans with a new brand of attacking football. He continued that philosophy four years later in South Africa, and showed he is not afraid to make a tough decision by dropping Michael Ballack for Euro 2012 qualification in order to bring through younger talent. Has a contract until 2014.

German Coach Joachim Low

 Captain Philipp Lahm:

There were massive shoes for Lahm to fill as he took over for Michael Ballack ahead of World Cup 2010, and the fact that he did so under some controversy made it even more difficult. His predecessor had no intent to simply surrender the armband, and Lahm was stuck in a very tricky situation.
  To his credit, the Bayern Munich man took everything in stride and has since adapted well: the most obvious example of course is in South Africa, where he stood in superbly, settling the team and inspiring some outstanding performances. He is not a very vocal man, but Lahm knows how to lead by example and has done so countless times while wearing the national team shirt.

German Captain Philipp Lahm

 Player to watch:Mesut Ozil

 Relatively unknown to the masses before the 2010 World Cup, Mesut Ozil exploded onto the international scene with a series of eye-catching displays in South Africa as Germany played some of their most offensive football in memory.

After being nominated for the Golden Ball Award - given to the tournament's best player - the 23-year-old 'Number 10' soon moved from Werder Bremen to Spanish giants Real Madrid. He racked up seven assists in the qualifying campaign.

German Player Mesut Ozil

 Jersy:

 Brand: Adidas

Home Jersey: White with 3 thin diagonal lines in black, red and yellow
Away Jersey: Green

German Home and Away Jersy

How German Qualify:

Germany was the first team to Qualify for the Euro 2012 as Germany stormed through their qualifying campaignas they  won every match, and earned more points than any other team. After a narrow win away to Belgium in their opener

GROUP A	GP	W	D	L	GD	PTS
1	Germany (Q)	10	10	0	0	27	30
2	Turkey	10	5	2	3	2	17
3	Belgium	10	4	3	3	6	15
4	Austria	10	3	3	4	-1	12
5	Azerbaijan	10	2	1	7	-16	7
6	Kazakhstan	10	1	1	8	-18	4

Sep 3, 2010 Belgium 0-1 Germany
Sep 7, 2010 Germany 6-1 Azerbaijan
Oct 8, 2010 Germany 3-0 Turkey 
Oct 12, 2010 Kazakhstan 0-3 Germany
Mar 26, 2011  Germany 4-0 Kazakhstan
Jun 3, 2011: Austria 1-2 Germany
Jun 7, 2011: Azerbaijan 1-3 Germany
Sep 2, 2011: Germany 6-2 Austria
Oct 7, 2011: Turkey 1-3 Germany
Oct 11, 2011: Germany 3-1 Belgium

Germany Squad for Euro 2012:

Coach: Joachim Low

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover)

Defenders: Holger Badstuber (Bayern Munich), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Mario Goetze (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Guendogan (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Oezil (Real Madrid), Lukas Podolski (Cologne), Marco Reus (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Andre Schuerrle (Bayer Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Miroslav Klose (Lazio)

Style of play: Coach Joachim Low employs a fluid 4-2-3-1 formation that often morphs into 4-3-3. Regradless of the setup, Germany plays a high-tempo, pressing game when not in possession. At the 2010 World Cup they relied on the counter-attack for scoring chances. Now they are much more assertive, using short 1-2 passes and quick ball movement. Fullbacks Philipp Lahm and Jerome Boateng give the attack width and pace down the wings. In the middle, Sami Khedira shields the back four, while partner Bastian Schweinsteiger directs traffic. In front of them, Mesut Ozil serves as the midfield conductor, flanked by Lukas Podolski and Thomas Muller. Up top, Miroslav Klose is the target man, relying on service from the midfield trio.