THIS IS largely the same group of players that surprised and delighted the host nation's population by finishing third at the World Cup two years ago.

Legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has retired, while Jens Novotny has also moved on, Bernd Schneider is injured and Sebastian Kehl has been troubled by an knee problem over the past two seasons, but almost all of the players who featured regularly two summers ago, either as starters or substitutes, are available and expected to feature.

Werder Bremen defender Clemens Fritz is one of the exceptions, the 27-year-old is now a strong contender for the right-back slot, while Kevin Kuryani and Simon Rolfes have made the panel on this occasion.

The most significant new arrival is Stuttgart striker Mario Gomez who, at just 22, has scored six times in 10 appearances and has the more excitable commentators making comparisons with the great Gerd Muller.