GERMANY : PLAYERS TO WATCH

Without a doubt, midfielder Michael Ballack is this team's best player. That's why Chelsea has pursued the Bayern Munich star. Ballack, however, doesn't have the leadership impact of a Franz Beckenbauer or even a Lothar Matthaeus. And as good as he is, he'll need a little help from his German friends if they want to go far in this competition. Assuming coach Juergen Klinsmann gives him the nod over Jens Lehmann, Oliver Kahn can be one intimidating goalkeeper when the game is on the line. Just ask any forward or midfielder who tried to score on him at the 2002 World Cup. Forward Lukas Podolski, who turns 21 on June 4, 2006, is Germany's great young hope (10 goals in 20 internationals through the winter), thanks to his great acceleration, strength and hard shot. Of course, he has never been forced to do it at such a high level with so much on the line.

ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal/ENG), Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart)
Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin), Robert Huth (Chelsea/ENG), Marcell Jansen (Borussia Monchengladbach), Per Mertesacker (Hannover), Christoph Metzelder (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Jens Nowotny (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Sebastian Kehl (Borussia Dortmund), Bernd Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), David Odonkor (Borussia Dortmund)
Fowards: Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Lukas Podolski (FC Cologne), Mike Hanke (VfL Wolfsburg), Oliver Neuville (Borussia Monchengladbach), Gerald Asamoah (Schalke 04)