Lahm to captain Germany

Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm was named as Germany captain for the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup yesterday. The 26 year old defender takes over from injured Michael Ballack and the decision by coach Joachim Loew ends days of speculation as besides Lahm the other candidates where his Bayern team mates Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose.

Lahm along with Schweinsteiger, Klose, Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen) and Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC Berlin) will be the players body during the tournament with which the coach will hold discussions. A special role will have to be played by Schweinsteiger, who will be Lahm's deputy and also take over the responsibilities from Ballack in central midfield. Schweinsteiger will be under special focus after a strong season for Bayern Munich.

"Lahm has played in his position with great class and will take over the role of captain," Germany coach Joachim Loew said at the team's training camp in south Tirol.

Lahm will be Germany's youngest ever World Cup captain and he will be leading a young German squad into the tournament. Lahm is an experienced international having already played 64 matches at his young age. Lahm was one of Germany's pillars in their 2006 World Cup campaign and I remember him scoring the opening goal of that World Cup for Germany against Costa Rica at the Allianz Arena in Munich. A goal to remember, now even more is expected by one of the world's best full backs.

The other awaited decision taken was that to name the German No. 1 for the World Cup. As goalkeeping coach Andreas Koepke said it wasn't an easy decision, then in the end it was decided that Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer will be Germany's goalkeeper for the tournament with Tim Wiese and Hans Joerg Butt as his deputies.

Germany isn't surely as strong as sides like Spain and Brazil, but it is a tournament side and is strong as a unit which could cause a few upsets. And in the last couple of World Cup's "die Mannschaft" has reached at least the semifinals.