Germany

German captain Philipp Lahm has warned England that a penalty shoot-out will suit Germany on Sunday and that it will suit them as they will be better prepared.

"Maybe it will go to penalties - that could suit us," he told FIFA.com.

I'm not sure what happened in that match. Germany didn't look like the Germany that beat Australia the other day, they looked more like a team who knew it didn't matter. Well it does matter, unless they know something I don't and I were German I'd feel a little let down by that performance.

It all went a bit wrong in the first half. Klose picked up his first yellow card in the 13th minute and I have to say, it was a bit harsh. He was chasing Branislav Ivanovic and clipped his foot - no intention, no malice - just what happens every now and then in a football match.

Germany were the only team that really impressed in the first round of matches when they thrashed Australia and while that could be because it was Australia, they still impressed - but it turns out they could have an advantage over many other teams.

You see, the German league have played with the new World Cup 2010 ball for the past season.

You have to feel sorry for Australia. Not just because they were beaten, but because it was so convincing. Germany had something to prove tonight and I think the message is loud and clear; they are ready.

Germany were excellent. There is no other word for it, just excellent. I could quite happily watch that game again tonight and I think I might. Yes, the opposition were not world class but Australia are no mugs and they could still do well in this tournament. It was just that Germany were, I'm using the word again, simply excellent.

I'm quite happy with what I've seen, in terms of the football, in the previous seven matches but we need some more goals and I have a feeling we might get them tonight when Germany meet Australia and I don't think it will be our English speaking cousins getting them.

Germany seem to have lost a player every week duing the build up to this event and while we've not written them off, a former German captain has and we just think that will be enough for the team to send a message back home; don't write us off just yet.

Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus says his country have 'almost' no chance of winning the World Cup in South Africa and that he is unimpressed with the standard of Joachim Loew's squad.

"The problem with Germany is that they have no stars, no-one with any individual brilliance, now that Ballack is out," said Matthaus. "And their preparations have hardly been optimal."