Germany released their provisional squad and has named some surprises with players coming from the even Bundesliga 2. Marko Marin, Oliver Neuville and Patrick Helmes were the few players coming from the second division.

Both Marin and Neuville play for Borussia Monchengladbach, who has since gained promotion to the top flight while Helmes is playing for FC Koln. Jaochim Low however has left out Timo Hildebrand, who is playing in Spain, Low has opted to bring Rene Adler from Bayer Leverkusen. Also not in the provisional squad include Manuel Friedrich, of which any of the three players like Piotr Trochowski, Jermain Jones and Tim Borowski will be available.

Low defended his decision in bringing the three players saying that "In the last couple of years we have observed around 200 Bundesliga games and have also had numerous practice sessions watched. We have staged international matches and have held meetings with the coaching staff. It was a tough decision, but we have now chosen to give these players our backing for this major tournament."

The Germany Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jens Lehmann (Arsenal FC), Robert Enke (Hannover 96), René Adler (Bayer 04 Leverkusen).

Defenders: Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid CF), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München), Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC Berlin), Marcell Jansen (FC Bayern München), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Heiko Westermann (FC Schalke 04).

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea FC), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Simon Rolfes (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern München), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Jermaine Jones (FC Schalke 04), David Odonkor (Real Betis Balompié), Marko Marin (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach).

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (FC Bayern München), Lukas Podolski (FC Bayern München), Mario Gómez (VfB Stuttgart), Kevin Kuranyi (FC Schalke 04), Oliver Neuville (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Patrick Helmes (1. FC Köln).