Euro2012: Loew announces Germany probables

German national team coach Joachim Löw today announced his 27 player probables squad for the 2012 European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine. The announcement was made at a press conference in Rastatt, the home of one of the DFB sponsors.

The only real surprise is the inclusion of Schalke teenager Julian Draxler with Gladbach goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen the only other player without a Germany cap. Also making a comeback is Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gündogan, who has been in grea form towards the end of the season.

Missing out on a place in the squad are players like Dennis Aogo, Christian Träsch and Simon Rolfes; who have been in the squad in recent times. Loew is only taking three striker to the tournament with Stefan Kießling, Patrick Helmes and Mike Hanke all losing out to Cacau after good performances in recent weeks.

The preparations are hampered due to the German Cup final this coming weekend with the Bayern Munich players only set to join the camp after the UEFA Champions League final on May 19 and will miss the regeneration camp in Sardinia.


GERMANY

Goalkeepers
Manuel Neuer (FC Bayern München), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Tim Wiese (SV Werder Bremen), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)

Defence
Holger Badstuber (FC Bayern München), Jerome Boateng (FC Bayern München), Benedikt Höwedes (FC Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal FC), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders
Lars Bender (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund), Julian Draxler (FC Schalke 04), Mario Götze (Borussia Dortmund), Ilkay Gündogan (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (FC Bayern München), Thomas Müller (FC Bayern München), Mesut Özil (Real Madrid), Lukas Podolski (1.FC Köln), Marco Reus (Borussia Mönchengladbach), André Schürrle (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern München)

Forwards
Cacau (VfB Stuttgart), Mario Gomez (FC Bayern München), Miroslav Klose (Lazio Roma)