Allegations that Germany bribed its way to secure the right to host the 2006 World Cup not only shook the football world,
but also shone a spotlight on cosy ties between sportswear giant Adidas and FIFA.
It's classy and very glassy, and took some getting past the defence of the local building committee. But Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer can now build his dream home on an exclusive Bavarian lakeside - albeit without the woman who designed it with him.
Argentina spoiled the party for world champions Germany by hammering the hosts 4-2 in an international friendly in Düsseldorf on Wednesday in a repeat of the World Cup final.
There could scarcely be another contender for The Local’s German of the Week after national coach Joachim Löw hit the footballing jackpot in Brazil on Sunday, guiding Germany to its fourth World Cup title. But the 54-year-old's career has seen its share of bumps too.
Despite being 12,000 kilometres apart, Argentina and Germany have quite a bit in common - from historical links to present day collaborations. Prepare for Sunday's World Cup final by learning about the ties that bind these two football powerhouses.
UPDATE: Germany on Wednesday woke battered by a night of rainstorms but basking in their historic 7:1 World Cup win against Brazil, amid disbelief at the pounding meted out to the favourites.
Germany coach Joachim Löw says the best is yet to come from his mis-firing team ahead of Friday's World Cup quarter-final, even though half of the players have been hit by cold and flu-like symptoms.
Behind the talent of Germany's football World Cup squad are many beautiful and successful women. Who is the striking beauty that lights Bastian Schweinsteiger's fire, or the wife that prefers horses to Hermes?
German sportswear giant Adidas is being cautious about predicting a good financial year for 2010, despite the huge boost normally to be expected from the football World Cup, CEO Herbert Hainer said.
Former national football team coach Jürgen Klinsmann and President of the German Football Association (DFB) Theo Zwanziger could be called as witnesses in a racial discrimination trial in Berlin against the head of the neo-Nazi NPD party Udo Voigt and two of his associates.
German footballer Lukas Podolski faces a charge from an anonymous plaintiff for slapping Germany captain Michael Ballack during the national team’s 2:0 victory over Wales last week, daily <i>Express</i> reported on Tuesday.
German striker Kevin Kuranyi was thrown out of the national team on Sunday after walking out of the stadium halfway through Saturday’s match against Russia which he was watching from the stands after missing out on selection.
Germany's 6-0 victory over Liechtenstein in the first World Cup 2010 qualifying match on Saturday night was the most-watched television programme of the night, attracting nearly 30 percent of people watching the box.
Coach Joachim Löw says Germany will win both their opening games on the road to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as they begin their campaign at minnows Liechtenstein on Saturday.
