[Europe Group 9]
10 Matches 6 Wins 4 Ties 0 Losses (22 Points)

10/9/96	Vs. Armenia	Win	1-5
11/9/96	Vs. Northern Ireland	Draw	1-1
12/14/96	Vs. Portugal	Draw	0-0
4/2/97	Vs. Albania	Win	2-3
4/30/97	Vs. Ukraine	Win	2-0
6/7/97	Vs. Ukraine	Draw	0-0
8/20/97	Vs. Northern Ireland	Win	1-3
9/6/97	Vs. Portugal	Draw	1-1
9/10/97	Vs. Armenia	Win	4-0
10/11/97	Vs. Albania	Win	4-3

Offense		Defense
Organization		Experience
Talent		Capacity to surprise

In terms of strength on the big stage, there is no team better than Germany. The German spirit of pride nurtured by the uniquely patriotic spirit truly proves its mettle under adversity. Germany has a tradition as a slow starter, but with persistence and of gradually picking up momentum and that tradition has certainly been inherited by the current team.

The traditional defense is also healthy. Kopke and Kahn protecting the goal mouth both have such strength and stability that it is hard to chose between them. However, the members of the final line to protect in front of them have still not been set. The team is a mixture of new faces and veterans. At this time, Thon is the most powerful candidate to fill the hole created by Sommer will almost certainly not be able to play. Also, the midfield is giving Coach Vogts the most headaches. The pattern tried out in the preliminaries of having two offensive midfielders and one defensive midfielder placed too much of a burden on the defense and was vulnerable to counter-attacks.

Therefore, the system has been revised somewhat and the system has Hamann and Jeremies, who like to come up forward, in the rear and Hassler or Moller in front of them. For the two tops, where the decline of Klinsmann has been pointed out, various combinations are conceivable, but at this time, the most powerful candidates are Kirsten and Bierhoff. Kirsten is in absolutely top condition this season and Bierhoff has height and consistency.

*DEUTSCHER
FUSSBALL BUND
[Address]

Otto-Fleck-Schneise 6,

Postfach 710405,

60528, Frankfurt am Main

*14th World Cup
(1934, 1938, 1954, 1958,
1962, 1966, 1970, 1974,
1978, 1982, 1986, 1990,
1994, 1998）
3 championships
(1954, 1978, 1990)

Oliver BIERHOFF
* Forward

A key player taking responsibility for the German attack with strength and height and surprising powers of concentration

Bierhoff is characterised by his strength on the big stage and his superior coolness under fire and mental toughness. He takes full advantage of his tall 191-cm body to score goals off high headers and in busted plays, but also has a fine ball touch and speed unusual in a player his size. These skills are quite appealing of course, but what his greatest talent is his ability to make the winning play in the decisive moments of critical scenes. Also, because he is so relaxed, his consistency makes him all the more valuable. So far on the national team, he has played much as a super-sub, but with the decline of Klinsmann and the failure of other players to make progress, he is currently the number one candidate for the regular forward position.

Berti VOGTS

In his playing days, Vogts was a top defenseman, winning much glory playing with Borussia M'gladbach and the West German national team in the 1970s. In particular, his play in the 1974 World Cup final match holding Cruyff of Holland in check is legendary and he made a major contribution to the German victory. When Beckenbauer stepped down after Germany's 1990 World Cup victory, Vogts became the new coach of the national team. The national team lost consecutive big tournaments at Euro 92 and the 1994 World Cup in the United States, but stable play brought the unified German team its first victory at Euro 96. Coach Vogts is known for his stern character and sound and careful leadership.