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Germany will be hoping to pull level with Italy as the second most successful team to take part in the World Cup by lifting the trophy for the fourth time this summer in South Africa. All matches involving Germany Live at 2010 World Cup are available this summer on Live Sport Network. Sign up now.

Germany are level with Brazil as the team to qualify for the most number of finals but have managed to win just three of the seven times they have made it to the summit. Die Mannschaft first won the trophy back in 1954 and then went on to win in 1974 and 1990.

The Germans have been one of the most consistent teams in recent years, managing to at least qualify to the quarter finals in the last seven editions and went on to qualify to the final thrice during the same period.

Germany were pushed all the way by Russia for the automatic qualification spot to the World Cup and only a narrow 1-0 win in Moscow helped Joachim Loew’s side to secure their place at the top of the group table.

Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski formed a lethal partnership upfront for Germany, scoring 13 of the 26 goals scored during the qualification process. However Germany’s preparations for the World Cup have been dealt with a major blow after it was confirmed that captain Michael Ballack has injured his ankle and will not be available for the tournament.

Germany will also be missing their first choice keeper with Rene Adler out injured which means that Schalke's Manuel Neuer is expected to take over in between the sticks while Low has also decided to drop Thomas Hitzlsperger and Kevin Kuranyi.

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