Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said that the German national team manager Joachim Loew should be looking at the possibility of using Borussia Dortmund over Bayern Munich players because they have clearly proved over the season that they are much better. Borussia Dortmund managed to trump Bayern Munich to the league title and also to the DFB Polkal cup as well. Bayern Munich then went on to suffer defeat in the final of the Champions League, thus obtaining the unwanted recognition of being the first side since Bayern Leverkusen to finish runners-up in every competition.

Germany have already experienced being the runners-up in the Euro 2008. They finished runners-up to Spain back then, but will be looking to go all the way this time around. Spain certainly were one of the favourites ahead of the tournament, but their stock has decreased slightly following the injuries to David Villa and Carlos Puyol. Further, the poor form of Fernando Torres has not helped matters at all. Germany, on the other hand, will have a number of players in top condition, although Watzke believes that the Borussia Dortmund players have proved over the season that they are extremely good. Five players from the Dortmund squad have been included in the preliminary squad for the Euro 2012.

“I think it is completely impossible that no Dortmund player should stand in the starting line-up at the European Championship. For me, this is not an issue. If you are the German champions and cup winners, then one must assume that this performance is recognised in accordance with the national team. Jogi Low is a great coach and I assume he will make the right decisions in every case. Players such as Hummels, Gundogan, Gotze, Bender and Schmelzer could play for any big club in the world,” he told Bild.

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder Michael Ballack has said that he is looking forward to making peace with the German national team manager Joachim Loew. The pair have been having a long running feud after the midfielder was dropped from the national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Ballack was also stripped of the captaincy in the most acrimonious circumstances by the manager Joachim Loew. Bayern Munich defender Philipp Lahm was appointed as the captain in place of Michael Ballack, which infuriated the Chelsea and Bayern Munich midfielder. Ballack has been the best player for Germany for more than a decade, but Loew did not see the 34-year-old midfielder as the future of German football.

However, Michael Ballack has now revealed that he is looking forward to making peace with the manager. It is very much expected that Ballack will leave Germany to play either in the MLS or in the Middle East. He is contract with Bayern Leverkusen has come to an end after the club decided not to extend his deal. He recently was paid his tributes by the Bayern Leverkusen fans, with whom he has an emotional touch. The 35-year-old midfielder has had an illustrious career both internationally and club-wise. He has made more than 100 appearances for the national team.

“In football, you should never say never. Time heals wounds. I can put everything into context. Certain things can be cleared up. It always depends on how the person in question approaches you or how you do it. One could have found a solution in a different way. You will always cross paths, offer your hand and move on,” Ballack told German sports channel Sport1 after announcing his departure from Germany. Ballack played in the German national team at the Euro 2008 final, which they lost to Spain.

Former Real Madrid manager Bernd Schuster has said that she believes that German club Bayern Munich face a difficult fixture against his former club in the semifinals of the Champions League.

Bayern Munich qualified for the semifinals of the Champions League after beating French club Marseille 4-0 on aggregate. They will be facing their first match against Real Madrid at home, but Bernd Schuster believes that the Spanish opponents are far superior to the German club. Schuster has said that Real Madrid are the favourites in this match due to the fact that they are better in defence.

This has been one of the fixtures that has been played a number of times in the past, but Bayern Munich have emerged as the winners from most of them partly due to their defensive performance. However, Schuster reckons that the defensive performance within the Germans is not on par with those of the Spanish opponents.

The winner from this tie are most likely to face Barcelona in the final of the Champions League, which will be at the Allianz arena– the home of Bayern Munich. Schuster reckons that players like Sergio Ramos and Pepe are of much better quality than Boateng and Badstuber. Bayern have been one of the best attacking teams in Europe alongside Real Madrid.

“Bayern are not quite on par with Real Madrid. Especially in the area of central defence. Sergio Ramos and Pepe hold a huge advantage over Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber. So I have my doubts as to whether Bayern can compete. In midfield and attack, I see no difference in quality. The goalkeepers are the same. Iker Casillas and Manuel Neuer are both world class,” the 52-year-old told Kicker. Schuster has also said that former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is the man to watch.

Germany manager Joachim Low has been left with more questions than answers after their latest match against France.

Germany were up against France in the final international match before they head to the Euro 2012.

Germany were coming confident into the match, but they were up against a French national team that was undefeated in the last 17 matches.

The France national team has certainly been reinvigorated following the arrival of Laurent Blanc. Players like Florent Malouda were appearing re-energised after spending many years in the wilderness under the regime of Domenech.

France have failed to do anything of being called worthy in the last three major international tournaments. It was about time since France delivered the goods that they were known to be capable of. Hence, Germany was certainly not having an easy game on their hands, but Joachim Low would have been extremely disappointed with the way his team lost against the French.

France claimed a 2-1 victory in difficult circumstances in the match after goals from Florent Malouda and Olivier Giroud gave French victory in the match. Cacau scored the only goal of the game for the Germans, and it was the only thing to smile about for Joachim Low in this match.

“You are always frustrated when you lose games and I am a bit annoyed with how we lost. France were superior to us throughout the game. We were unable to find our game in the second half and that is why France deserved to win. It would have been better if we had got at least a draw, but it was good for me that I scored,” Joachim Low said after the match. It would be certainly interesting to see the team Joachim Low picks for the Euro 2012 given this poor result.

Ever since signing from Middlesbrough, Robert Huth has been an integral part of the Stoke City side in their efforts for Premier League survival in the early stages. Now, Stoke City are regarded as a team that is capable of challenging for the European places. One of the main aspects for this has been Robert Huth. Even though he is primarily a central defender, Tony Pulis has used him as a right back as well. He has been one of the few players who have got on with his job without complaining a lot about his preferred position in the team.

Now, his future has become a subject of great speculation after his contract is set to expire soon. Robert Huth still has only two years on his current contract, with plenty of clubs from the German Bundesliga set to be interested in signing the former Chelsea youth product. However, Stoke City have denied speculation that Robert Huth will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

It would be making financial sense because they would have to lose him for nothing after this summer. However, Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has come out with a statement that has reaffirmed that the status quo that Robert Huth is one of the most important defenders at the club.

Along with Robert Huth, Glenn Whelan is also nearing the end of his contract.

In an interview, Pulis praised Huth a lot. He said, “We always look after the players who have done well for us and we want to keep Robert Huth and Glenn here for a long time.”
Robert Huth was unavailable to comment regarding the speculation, although he would be extremely open to a move back to his homeland ahead of the Euro 2012 finals.

We’re keeping a lookout for keen Germany fans who can get their point across.

Whether its disputing Joachim Low’s picks, telling the worl who should make the squad, or keeping us uptodate on the latest German news, we need the fan’s perspective.

If you’d be interested then send us and email to worldcupfootballfans at googlemail.com