Football in Germany

Football in Germany is a popular sport. Since 1908, the German National football team, also known as Die deutsche Nationalmannschaft represents the German Football Association (DFB) in international matches.

After the Second World War, Germany was under ban for almost all sports until late 1950.Initially Football in Germany was divided into two groups, one being East Germany and the other being West Germany. However, the reunification of the two German nations was formalized on October 3, 1990.

So far, Germany has won three World Cup titles and three European championships and is one of the most successful European national team in international competetions. Germany emerged as champion in the World Cups of 1954, 1974 and 1990. Football in Germany embodies the spirit of the entire nation. Oliver Kahn was the first ever German goalkeeper to win the Player of the Tournament award in the World Cup of 2002.Also Tony Schumacher holds the record of the maximum number of penalty shootout saves in World Cup-two against France in 1982 and two against Mexico in 1986.

Gerd Muller has delivered the greatest number of goals for Germany-fourteen goals in just two World Cups. He scored ten goals in the 1970 World Cup. The German defeat by Italy(4-3) in the 1970 World Cup is often referred to as the Game of the Century. However, Germany, led by Beckenbauer, won the World Cup title in 1974 on their home soil by defeating Netherland in the finals by 2-1.

Football in Germany has become a craze even among the younger people. Some of the Football clubs in Germany are Bayer Leverkusen, SC Frieburg, FC Nurnbern. Germany also has football clubs for women. There is a positive development in this field also as DBF has registered 857,220 female members. The teams for girls under 16 have also increased considerably. In fact the German Women's National team won the World Cup in autumn 2003.

Football in Germany is worth the excitement. Some of the world's finest players of the game were from Germany. The likes of Lothar Matthaus, Beckenbauer, Klinsman and in recent times Klose and Ballack can keep you riveted to your seat till the last minute of the match.