While Die Mannschaft continue to build towards the World Cup, their opponents are already considering Euro 2012...

Kick Off: Thursday, June 3, 2010. 20:30 CET
Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt

Building Up

Few sides can boast the pedigree of the Germans when it comes to World Cups, and coach Joachim Loew is busy preparing die Mannschaft for another assault at the competition that only Brazil and Italy have won more frequently. Their latest warm-up is a friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which marks the end of the team’s preparations on home soil.

Three times world champions under the guise of West Germany, the Western Europeans are not amongst the elite favourites to claim the crown, but they are certainly amongst a pack of dangerous floating sides.

An injury to captain Michael Ballack has certainly provided a setback for die Mannschaft, who may be light on years but are certainly heavy on international experience, with a raft of players in their mid-20s who have already picked up 30 or more caps.

Germany have prepared well for the summer’s festivities well thus far, defeating Hungary 3-0 last week. Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez, two men well versed in turning out for die DFB-Elf, gave the visitors a 2-0 advantage before Cacau converted a third for an experimental side.

Having deployed something of a fringe XI against the Hungarians, it must be expected that Loew will unleash his big guns on Thursday against opponents who must be granted the respect they deserve.

Looking To The Future

Bosnia & Herzegovina were wickedly unlucky not to qualify for the World Cup, which they had hoped to make their first major finals as an independent nation. Pitted, amongst others, against all-conquering Spain in the group stages, the Ljiljani finished second in their pool before suffering elimination against Portugal.

Dreams of South Africa may have died, but Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland remains a very realistic goal for Safet Susic’s side. France under the stewardship of Laurent Blanc will be given a real test by the emerging Zmajevi, who will certainly back themselves to finish at worst second in a group that also contains Romania, Belarus, Albania and Luxembourg.

Qualifiers don’t start until October and until that time, Bosnia must make do with friendly encounters. Qatar are coming up in August, but the meeting with Germany is their last match before the summer break.

Following a 4-2 humbling at the hands of Sweden on Saturday, Bosnia will want to finish on a high, but against a side heading for South Africa, they will certainly have their hands full.

Boasting a team coming into its prime as an offensive unit, there are several figures the hosts will need to keep a close eye on, including Miralem Pjanic, Zvjezdan Misimovic and Edin Dzeko.

FORM GUIDE

Germany

WON (a) 3-0 Hungary (Friendly, May 29)

WON (h) 3-0 Malta (Friendly, May 13)

LOST (h) 1-0 Argentina (Friendly, March 3)

DREW (h) 2-2 Ivory Coast (Friendly, November 18)

DREW (h) 1-1 Finland (World Cup qualifier, October 14)

Bosnia

LOST (a) 4-2 Sweden (Friendly, May 29)

WON (h) 2-1 Ghana (Friendly, March 3)

LOST (h) 1-0 Portugal (World Cup play-off, November 18)

LOST (a) 1-0 Portugal (World Cup play-off, November 14)

LOST (h) 5-2 Spain (World Cup qualifier, October 14)

TEAM NEWS

Germany

Manuel Neuer has been installed as Joachim Loew’s first choice goalkeeper and should get the nod, but there is a good deal more uncertainty in the defence, where the coach is likely to go with experience in the former of Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker in the middle of the rearguard. There are many permutations at full-back, but Philipp Lahm, the captain in Michael Ballack’s absence, is sure to be handed some role.

Marko Marin’s recent form should be enough for him to start on the right, while Mesut Oezil was in characteristically excellent touch against Hungary and is poised to star against Bosnia.

Probable Starting XI: Neuer; Boateng, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Marin, Ozil, Podolski; Klose

Bosnia

After playing a very experienced side against Sweden, it may be that there are a few alterations to the unit come Thursday. That weak performance has sparked cries from the likes of Miralem Pjanic that better is expected of the team against the Germans.

Probable Starting XI: Begovic; Pandza, Spahic, Mravac, Salihovic; Medunjanin, Muratovic, Misimovic, Pjanic; Dzeko, Muslimovic

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Germany

The form of Miroslav Klose has been a major talking point in the German media of late, with Joachim Loew admitting that the giant striker’s recent performances have been subpar. The attacker who turns 32 on June 9 has shown an ability to turn his game up at crucial times for his nation, so it would be little surprise to see him starting to fire on Thursday.

Bosnia

Five members of the Bosnian squad turn out for Bundesliga outfits, but arguably the highest profile of these is Edin Dzeko, who is once again being linked with a summer transfer. The Wolfsburg striker could play his last game on German soil for quite some time on Thursday, and there can be little doubt that he’d love to mark his exit with a goal.

PREDICTION

Though Bosnia will prove to be fine opponents for Germany, the hosts will start the game as favourites. Joachim Loew has seen his side string record a couple of strong results together back-to-back, and a powerful win in midweek would set them up nicely for the World Cup. It certainly won’t be easy against opponents it would be foolish to underestimate.

Germany 2-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina