GERMANY
Current FIFA Ranking = 6
Highest FIFA Ranking = 1 (1993)
Lowest FIFA Ranking = 23 (2006 - March)
FIFA World Cup titles = 3
2010 World Cup Results:
AUS: 4-0 W
Serbia: 1-0 L
Ghana: 1-0 W
England (R16): 4-1 W
ARGENTINA
Current FIFA Ranking = 7
Highest FIFA Ranking = 1 (2008 March)
Lowest FIFA Ranking = 24 (1996)
FIFA World Cup titles = 2
2010 World Cup Results:
NIGERIA: 1-0 W
S.KOR: 4-1 W
Greece: 2-0 W
Mexico (R16): 3-1 W
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Last Head-to-Head meeting: 2006 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinal
Result = Germany wins on penalties (1-1 after 120 minutes)
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SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA, FIFA
Alright, so the trash-talking has started:
Bastian Schweinsteiger
"The shootout is still in our memory, but what really weighs heavily on our minds is what happened after that match,"
"We have to remain calm and not get provoked and I hope the referee will be very alert.
"You could see their behavior at halftime of the game against Mexico. When you look at their body language and gesticulations, the way they try to influence the referees, they have no respect. It's their mentality and character and we'll have to adjust."
Talking about Veron
"He(Juan Sebastian Veron) has played very strongly here. I have been impressed,"
Talking about Messi
"Other teams also have done it. He hasn't scored yet and we want to keep it that way,"
"We'll find the right game plan to hurt Argentina, although we know how strong Argentina is. At this level, you can't make mistakes, it's the details that decide the match."
Friendly win
Argentina beat Germany 1-0 with relative ease in that March friendly in Munich. Schweinsteiger said that result meant little.
1-2-3
"One, it was a friendly. Two, they did not create many chances either. Three, we have gained a lot of confidence by beating England and the good tactics we used in that game,"
Your thoughts/predictions? Reaction to the pre-match comments.