Posted on 06/06/2014 2:56:08 AM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
Fifa has released the signed-off final World Cup squads for the 2014 finals. Which country is the tallest on average? And which club has had the most players picked?
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
Why do Germany top the list for overall number of international goals? One big reason is the World Cup's joint-second scorer of all time Miroslav Klose (he's currently drawing with fellow German Gerd Müller on 14). There's a good chance the 36 year old will be able to score the two goals he needs to beat Brazilian Ronaldo to the all-time top spot. Klose's 68 international goals and Lukas Podolski's impressive 46 give them more goals than all of England's squad combined.
I hope Klose gets the record, not against the USA. Podolski certainly has scored a lot too. I guess Germany would be a good bet to take it all.
Acrobatics may be off the menu, but any further celebrations could be hugely significant; with 68 goals in 131 games, Klose shares the national scoring record with Gerd Müller. Moreover, should he register once more at the finals in South America, the former 1. FC Kaiserslautern, SV Werder Bremen and FC Bayern München totem would match former Brazil ace Ronaldo's record of 15 FIFA World Cup finals goals. "Anyone who knows me knows the World Cup goal record is a target of mine," Klose said. "But to be completely honest, it only plays a back-seat role for me as the team is the most important thing.
Germany World Cup squad: Miroslav Klose is the ONLY striker Joachim Low is taking
"Both Middlesbrough and Watford have two players with call-ups, while a few other Championship teams have at least one of their squad in Brazil. Going even further down the pyramid, Swindon Town's Massimo Luongo and Preston North End's Bailey Wright have both been selected for the Australian side."
Games today:
June 6 in Foxboro, Mass.
Portugal-Mexico
June 6 in Harrison, Calif. (NJ?)
Greece vs. Bolivia
June 6 in Salvador
Croatia vs. Australia
June 6 in Sao Paulo
Brazil vs. Serbia
June 6 in Moscow
Russia vs. Morocco
June 6 in Tampa, Fla.
Japan vs. Zambia
June 6 in Mainz
Germany vs. Armenia
http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/512/media/images/75343000/jpg/_75343084_arjenrobben1.jpg
Dutch Team arrives in Brazil. Are they the first??
I guess Germany would be a good bet to take it all.Most German soccer fans are not very optimistic. Brazil’s climate is hard to take for Germans, many important players have been injured, and many people feel that coach Löw’s philosophy puts too much emphasis on pretty play, instead of winning.
It’s all on Klose.
Not really but it sounds reassuring...
LoL!
Tomorrow’s warm-up games:
June 7 in Jacksonville, Fla.
USA vs. Nigeria
June 7 in Buenos Aires
Argentina vs. Slovenia
June 7 in Brussels
Belgium vs. Tunisia
June 7 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
England-Honduras
June 7 in Landover, Md.
Spain vs. El Salvador
June 7 in Foxboro, Mass.
Costa Rica vs. Ireland
Greece vs. Bolivia: Road to Brazil
Can Greece score a goal? Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Nigeria at PPL Park was the Greeks' third straight match without a goal
The only ''big'' player set to miss is midfielder Mark Bresciano, who is still plagued by a back problem. It must be causing increasing concern in the management ranks with the opening game against Chile scheduled for a week later than the Croatia fixture.
Brazil-Serbia Preview: Scolari seeking further improvement from Selecao
Friday's friendly with Serbia offers Brazil a final chance to allay coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's misgivings ahead of the World Cup.
This year's hosts had no problem finding the net in their only warm-up game so far, putting four past Panama on Tuesday in a game in which they were rarely required to get out of first gear.
Neymar, Dani Alves, Hulk and Willian were all on target in Goiania as Brazil kicked off their preparations with a comfortable victory.
Coach Fabio Capello has already finalized his 23-man squad on Monday and just needs to find his starting XI.
Capello will hope his side rediscovers their scoring touch against Morocco, however, as they gave a sub-par performance in a 1-1 draw with Norway last weekend.
Hasebe out for Japan Vs Zambia
Long-time captain Makoto Hasebe will miss Japan's final world cup warm-up match with an injury and playmaker Shinji Okazaki is doubtful due to illness, coach Alberto Zaccheroni says.
On the eve of the Asian champions' friendly with Zambia, the Italian said Mainz forward Okazaki has a fever after going from hot and humid outdoor conditions to the chill of hotel air conditioning.
"Even if he doesn't play tomorrow, it doesn't affect his overall condition," Zaccheroni said through a translator.
Hasebe, believed to have a leg injury, did not play in the Blue Samurai's 3-1 victory over World Cup-bound Costa Rica on Monday and the 30-year-old defensive midfielder, who plays for relegated Bundesliga side Nuremberg, will sit out the match on Friday.
Germany have failed to impress against Poland and Cameroon in recent weeks, as Low's men were held 0-0 and 2-2 respectively.
Low is now hoping for a much better showing in Mainz before Germany travel to Brazil ahead of their tournament opener against Group G rivals Portugal on June 16.
What Difference does it Make?
One big difference - Muller scored his 68 goals in only 62 games!
Different era, I know, but still, over a goal a game average, and at the international level to boot!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
