Ziege and Hamann back for Germany

Germany’s England-based big guns came back for the quarter-final clash with the unfancied but hugely motivated USA.

Christian Ziege and Dietmar Hamann both returned after suspensions while Sebastian Kehl - on for Marko Rehmer in Germany’s last match against Paraguay - holds his place. Marco Bode and Jens Jeremies both drop to the bench.

Germany, at this stage for the 14th time in 15 World Cups they have played in, are bidding for their 10th semi-final appearance.

The USA have just that distant semi-final - when they were beaten 6-1 by Argentina - to look back on 72 years ago.

Coach Brad Arena believes this is the States’ best ever side, but that still leaves them some way short in class of a German team running ominously into top form.

The US bring back Frankie Hejduk after suspension, while Fulham’s Eddie Lewis and Crystal Palace defender Gregg Berhalter retain their places after fine displays in the last match defeat by Mexico. Josh Wolff was the unlucky man left out from that victory.

A semi-final clash with the winners’ of tomorrow’s quarter-final between South Korea and Spain awaits the winners in Seoul on Tuesday.

Germany: Kahn, Linke, Kehl, Metzelder, Frings, Hamann, Ballack, Schneider, Ziege, Neuville, Klose.

Subs: Asamoah, Baumann, Bierhoff, Bode, Bohme, Butt, Jancker, Jeremies, Lehmann, Ramelow, Rehmer, Ricken.

USA: Friedel, Sanneh, Mastroeni, Pope, Berhalter, Hejduk, O’Brien, Reyna, Lewis, Donovan, McBride.

Subs: Agoos, Beasley, Cherundolo, Jones, Keller, Llamosa, Mathis, Meola, Moore, Regis, Stewart, Wolff.

Referee: H Dallas (Scotland)