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GERMANY
ITALY
ENGLAND
GERMANY
BELGIUM
THE FAVOURITES: The European Contenders
NAME Manuel Neurer (GK) Ren Adler (GK) Philipp Lahm (DF) Per Mertesacker (DF) Jrme Boateng (DF) Mats Hummels (DF) Ben Hwedes (DF) Marcell Jansen (DF) Chris Smalling (DF) Mesut zil (M) Thomas Mller (M) Sami Khedira (M) Toni Kroos (M) Marco Reus (M) Lars Bender (M) Sven Bender (M) Andr Schrrle (M) Mario Gtze (M) Julian Draxler (M) Lukas Podulski (F) Miroslav Klose (F) Max Kruse (F) Mario Gomez (F) MANAGER Joachim Lw
TEAMS Bayern Munich Hamburger SV Bayern Munich Arsenal Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund Schalke 04 Hamburger SV Manchester United Arsenal Bayern Munich Real Madrid Bayern Munich Borussia Dortmund Bayer Leverkusen Borussia Dortmund The German team have won the World Cup three times Chelsea The one talent that Germany have Germany go into this summers Bayer Leverkusen in abundance is creativity. Players World Cup as serious contenders and Schalke 04 such as zil, Mller and Gtze will Arsenal it would be no surprise if Joachim give any team that the Germans play Lazio Lws team went on to win the Schalke 04 famous trophy. against a fright. Furthermore up top Fiorentina they have the second leading World Since Germanys embarrassment
Joachim Low is preparing to head to his third World Cup
at Euro 2000 they have gone from strength to strength on the field. In 2002 they were beaten finalists, while in 2006 and 2010 they reached the semi-final before being knocked out. The whole nation will be keen to ensure that their team doesnt fall at the final hurdle once more.
Cup goalscorer in history, Miroslav Klose. The 35-year-old is stuck on 14 World Cup goals, one behind Brazillian legend Ronaldo. Overall Germany have all the ingredients to have a real chance of going all the way and winning their fourth World Cup trophy.
NAME Gianluigi Buffon (GK) Salvatore Sirigu (GK) Andrea Barzagli (DF) Leonardo Bonucci (DF) Christian Maggio (DF) Domenico Criscito (DF) Ignazio Abate (DF) Angelo Ogbonna (DF) Andrea Pirlo (M) Daniele De Rossi (M) Riccardo Montolivio (M) Thiago Motta (M) Andrea Poli (M) Eman Gianccherini (M) Alex Diamanti (M) Claudio Machisio (M) Antonio Nocerino (M) Marco Verratti Alberto Gilardino (F) Guiseppe Rossi (F) Mario Balotelli (F) Pablo Osvaldo (F) Lorenzo Insigne (F) MANAGER Cesare Prandelli
TEAM Juventus Paris Saint-Germain Juventus Juventus Napoli Zenit AC Milan Juventus Juventus Roma AC Milan Paris Saint-Germain AC Milan Sunderland Bologna Juventus The experienced Italians are looking to equal Brazils record of five World Cups AC Milan If Cesare Prandellis team are to It is impossible to rule out Italy when Paris Saint-Germain equal Brazils record of five World it comes to major international Genoa Cup titles they will be looking for Fiorentina tournaments, especially the inspiration from their 137 timed AC Milan World Cup. Southampton capped captain Gianlluigi Buffon. The Whenever they have been ruled Napoli out in the past the Azzurri have come Juventus shot-stopper has been an
ITALY
back stronger than ever. The perfect example of this at Germany 06 when Italy defied the odds and went on to win the famous trophy. The four-time World Cup winners will be looking to add a fifth trophy to their collection.
ever present in the Italian team since 1997 and has been through the highs and the lows. Overall, Italy have a good a chance of winning the World Cup as any other team. They came close last time and will no doubt be in the mix again.
Cesare Prandelli the mastermind in charge of Italy
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ENGLAND
NAME Joe Hart (GK) Fraser Forster (GK) John Ruddy (GK) Glen Johnson (DF) Ashley Cole (DF) Chris Smalling (DF) Phil Jones (DF) Gary Cahill (DF) Phil Jagielka (DF) Leighton Baines (DF) Kyle Walker (DF) Alex Chamberlain (M) Michael Carrick (M) Tom Cleverley (M) Steven Gerrard (M) Frank Lampard (M) Theo Walcott (M) James Milner (M) Andros Townsend (M) Andy Carroll (F) Danny Welbeck (F) Daniel Sturridge (F) Wayne Rooney (F) MANAGER Roy Hodgson TEAM Manchester City Celtic Norwich City Liverpool Chelsea Manchester United Manchester United Chelsea Everton Everton Tottenham Arsenal Manchester United Manchester United Liverpool Chelsea England are looking for a repeat of their 1966 success Arsenal There is no doubt that if England England head to Brazil knowing not Manchester City are to surprise everyone then Wayne many people expect them to win the Tottenham Rooney will have to play a pivotal role West Ham United tournament but it is impossible to in this. The Manchester United centreManchester United rule out England from repeating their Liverpool 1966 success. forward has 38 England goals so far Manchester United and must be confident of breaking It has been 47-years since Sir
THE DUGOUT 21
THE FAVOURITES: The European Contenders
Roy Hodgson leads England to his first World Cup
Geoff Hursts famous hat-trick against West Germany at Wembley secured Englands maiden World Cup Win. Despite their long wait without winning a trophy it hasnt diminished the countries hunger to win again, and Roy Hodgsons team has a good a chance of winning in Brazil.
Sir Bobby Charltons all time scoring record of 49 goals. Overall England may not have been a major player on the international scene in the run up to this summers tournament but the Three Lions have all the tools to sneak a World Cup win and write themselves into history.
NAME Thibaut Courtois (GK) Simon Mignolet (GK) Jan Vertonghen (DF) Thomas Vermaelen (DF) Toby Alderweireld (DF) Nicolas Lombaerts (DF) Daniel Van Buyten (DF) Vincent Kompany (DF) Guillaume Gillet (DF) Moussa Dembl (M) Marouane Fellaini (M) Axel Witsel (M) Eden Hazard (M) Steven Defour (M) Nacer Chadli (M) Kevin De Bruyne (M) Radji Nainggolan (M) Kevin Mirallas (F) Romelu Lukaku (F) Dries Mertens (F) Christian Benteke (F) Jelle Vossen (F) Zakaria Bakkali (F) MANAGER Marc Wilmots
TEAM Chelsea Liverpool Tottenham Hotspur Arsenal Athletico Madrid Zenit Bayern Munich Manchester City Paris Saint-Germain Tottenham Hotspur Manchester United Zenit Chelsea Porto Tottenham Hotspur Chelsea Cagliari Everton Chelsea Napoli Aston Villa Racing Genk PSV
BELGIUM
Belgium are yet to win an international tournament
Marc Wilmots scored Belgiums last World Cup goal in 02
This is the first time that Belgium will have appeared at a World Cup since Japan and South Korea 02, therefore they will be looking to put on a good show for their loyal fans. Dramatic improvements right through to the core of football in Belgium has meant that the national team have managed to produce a group of players who have a real shot of winning. If Belgium are to stamp their mark on the tournament in Brazil then the whole nation will be looking for
their captain and centre-back Vincent Kompany to lead the team using his vast experience. The Manchester City defender has been in dominate form over the past season or two meaning he will be at the forefront when Belgium go to battle. Overall it will be a shock if Belgium came in from the international tournament cold and went on to win the whole thing. The fact that no player has had experience at a international tournament may not work in their favour at the crunch end.
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