Euro 2008 - Euro player profiles: Germany

A player-by-player guide to the men carrying German hopes at Euro 2008.

Jens Lehmann (Arsenal). Goalkeeper. Born 10.11.69. Caps 53. Goals 0.

Won his personal battle with Oliver Kahn for the number one spot ahead of the World Cup, then received high praise during the tournament, only to lose out at his club Arsenal to Spaniard Manuel Almunia. Lehmann is prone to the odd inexplicable error, a failing that ultimately cost him the Arsenal job, but on his day he is as commanding as any keeper.

Robert Enke (Hanover 96). Goalkeeper. Born 24.8.77. Caps 1. Goals 0.

The much travelled Enke, who counts Barcelona among his former clubs, got the nod over Timo Hildebrand for the number two slot. Was probably the outstanding keeper in the Bundesliga in the 2006-07 season, yet he looked nervous in his one full international appearance, a 1-0 defeat by Denmark.

Rene Adler (Bayer Leverkusen). Goalkeeper. Born 15.1.85. Caps 0. Goals 0.

One of a handful of brilliant young keepers in Germany, Adler has the confidence that marked out Iker Casillas when he came from nowhere as a teenager with Real Madrid. Said to be a big Manchester United fan.

Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid). Defender. Born: 5.11.80. Caps 39. Goals 0.

Was one of the best players of the 2002 World Cup and recovered from serious injury to help Germany finish third last time. Moved to Real Madrid last year but his hopes of excelling in Spain were hit by a foot injury requiring surgery in February. When fit, he is probably Loew's first choice to partner Per Mertesacker.

Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen). Defender. Born 29.9.84. Caps 41. Goals 1.

The 1.96 metres tall centre-back earned the nickname Mr Clean after playing his first 31 Bundesliga games without being booked. Has had another good season for Werder, where he generally outshines the Brazilian Naldo alongside him. Not as commanding in the air as he should be but reads the game well and at 23 is Germany's senior centre-back.

Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich). Defender. Born 11.11.83. Caps 39. Goals 2.

The scurrying Lahm will be long remembered for scoring the first goal of the 2006 World Cup, when he cut in from the left and blasted home against Costa Rica in Munich. That turned him into one of the names of the tournament and he continued to look impressive at left-back, despite being right-footed. Since Marcell Jansen's arrival at Bayern, Lahm more often plays on the right and should stay in that role for Germany.

Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin). Defender. Born 29.5.79. Caps 56. Goals 0.

The right-sided defender co-authored a cook book before the World Cup with team chef Ralf Zacherl. Famously made his debut for Germany after playing just two Bundesliga games in 2002 and has been in the squad ever since.

Marcell Jansen (Bayern Munich). Defender. Born 4.11.85. Caps 21. Goals 1.

Tall, quick fullback who was virtually an unknown when Juergen Klinsmann called him up in 2005. Has since moved from Borussia Moenchengladbach to Bayern Munich and enjoyed a great first season with the Bavarians, so despite stiff competition should be first choice for the left-back role.

Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen). Defender. Born 7.12.80. Caps 12. Goals 2.

Made his name at Bayer Leverkusen but after helping them win a Champions League place he suffered a badly broken leg and missed an entire season as he went through five operations. The move to Werder in 2006 proved just the spur he needed and he has since established himself as a dangerous attacking right-back -- quick on the ball and eager to get forward as much as possible.

Heiko Westermann (Schalke 04). Defender. Born 14.8.83. Caps 2. Goals 0.

Caught the eye when playing as a fearless wing-back in the Champions League this season, cutting in whenever possible and causing trouble with his powerful shot, but has always claimed to be more comfortable as a centre-back.

Michael Ballack (Chelsea). Midfielder. Born: 26.9.76. Caps 79. Goals 35.

Germany's captain has proved the doubters wrong after emerging as one of Chelsea's most influential players over the second half of this season. When on form Ballack has an uncanny ability to score crucial goals and if he stays fit Germans will expect him to lead their side all the way this time. Will marry his long-term girlfriend Simone Lambe in Germany's wedding of the year once the tournament is over.

Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart). Midfielder. Born 5.4.82. Caps 32. Goals 5.

Known as the 'Hammer' due to his habit of scoring with long-range blasts, Hitzlsperger was originally picked as a defender but has matured into an important part of the midfield set-up. While famed for his shooting ability, he is a canny enough midfielder when passing and running with the ball as well and could surprise a few people at Euro 2008.

Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen). Midfielder. Born 21.1.82. Caps 9. Goals 0.

Aggressive midfielder who has weighed in with seven league goals for Leverkusen during another ultra-consistent season. Has yet to really mark his mark for the national team but could be a useful squad player.

Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen). Midfielder. Born 22.11.76. Caps 70. Goals 10.

His suspension for the World Cup semi-final against Italy arguably cost the hosts their chance of making the final. Dynamic midfielder who is not shy of making his presence felt, Frings turned down a lucrative move to Juventus to stay at Werder this season and then came through serious injury problems and is slowly rediscovering his form. His partnership with Ballack in the centre of midfield will be crucial to Germany's cause.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich). Midfielder. Born 1.8.84. Caps 49. Goals 13.

Germany's most naturally talented midfielder did not quite live up to expectations at the World Cup, when he did not show his best form until the third-place match against Portugal. Tricky with the ball at his feet and a venomous striker of the ball, if he gets it together he will be a real handful.

Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg SV). Midfielder. Born 22.3.84. Caps 11. Goals 0.

Like Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose, Trochowski is an attacking player of Polish origin. Came through the Bayern Munich system but was sold off on the cheap to Hamburg, where he has really blossomed, benefitting greatly from playing alongside Rafael van der Vaart.

Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen/Bayern Munich from 1.07.2008). Midfielder. Born 2.5.80. Caps 31. Goals 2.

A favourite of Juergen Klinsmann, the grimacing Borowski will be reunited with his former national team boss when he switches from Werder Bremen to Bayern Munich on a free transfer on July 1. Has great touch and quick wit. If he can find his form, he should add creativity which the team will lack now Bernd Schneider has been ruled out through injury.

Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04). Midfielder. 3.11.81. Caps 1. Goals 0.

A no-nonsense midfielder on the pitch, Jones, the son of an American soldier, was famed for a flashy image off it, although he seems to have settled down since joining Schalke from hometown club Eintracht Frankfurt last year. Quick and tough, he looks at home in a hard-working Schalke side.

David Odonkor (Real Betis). Midfielder. 21.2.84. Caps 13. Goals 1.

Extremely quick attacking midfielder who has twice come back from serious injuries to revive his young career. Was a surprise inclusion in the World Cup squad two years ago and proved his worth in setting up the winner against Poland. Has struggled since moving to Betis but coach Joachim Loew is satisfied he is getting back to his best.

Marko Marin (Borussia Moenchengladbach). Midfielder. 13.3.89. Caps 0. Goals 0.

Coach Loew's surprise pick, this talented winger, born in Bosnia, played for Europe under-18s at the Meridian Cup in 2007 and has sparkled for Borussia Moenchengladbach in the second division this season. Loew likes him for his ability to take on players and run with the ball at speed -- skills that are lacking elsewhere in the squad. Had to cancel a planned holiday in Ibiza when he discovered he was in the 26-man provisional squad for Euro 2008.

Mario Gomez (VfB Stuttgart). Forward. 10.7.85. Caps 9. Goals 6.

Gomez is the sort of forward who makes goalscoring look easy -- Germany's equivalent of Bayern Munich's Italian striker Luca Toni. Gomez opted to play for Germany despite having a Spanish father. Bundesliga Player of the Year in 2007 thanks to the goals that propelled Stuttgart to their unexpected title win.

Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich). Forward. Born 9.6.78. Caps 74. Goals 38.

The top scorer at the last World Cup has been in a bit of a slump over the second half of the season but his record for Germany is terrific and Loew will almost certainly keep faith with him. Powerful in the air for a relatively short man, Klose also holds the ball up well and has a good eye for a pass.

Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04). Forward. Born 2.3.82. Caps 46. Goals 19.

Kuranyi was devastated to be left out of the 2006 World Cup squad and it is to his great credit that he managed to pull himself together and once again become an important member of the Germany set-up. Born in Brazil to a German father and a Panamanian mother, Kuranyi is great in the air and a decent passer. Scored two great goals in the crucial 2-1 win away to the Czech Republic in qualifying.

Lukas Podolski (Bayern Munich). Forward. Born 4.6.85. Caps 46. Goals 25.

The winner of the best young player award at the last World Cup has had a terrible time since, struggling to establish himself with Bayern Munich. At the World Cup he showed strength, pace and assurance in front of goal. Has shown that in most games for Germany, too, with a remarkable scoring record of better than a goal every two games. It would be unwise to write him off on the strength of his domestic form.

Patrick Helmes (Cologne). Forward. Born 1.3.84. Caps 4. Goals 0.

Helmes followed the same route into the national team as Lukas Podolski. One of a group of three or four players in with a chance of one place in the squad and probably just has the edge over the likes of Mike Hanke, Gerald Asamoah and Oliver Neuville as he has always looked dangerous in his handful of appearances under Loew.

Oliver Neuville (Borussia Moenchengladbach). Forward. Born 1.5.73. Caps 66. Goals 9.

Swiss-born forward who has been brought back into the squad after a good season in the second division with Gladbach. Unlikely to start any games, but his nippy style means he could come on as a substitute and cause problems for tiring defences.

Source : uk.eurosport.yahoo.com