Editors note: This is the fourth in an eight-part series leading up to the kickoff of the World Cup in South Africa on June 11. Each day a Deseret News writer will break down one of the eight groups of the first stage of the 32-team tournament.
Can Germany make it three semifinals in a row? Out of all the Group D teams in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Germans seem to be the team most capable of emerging from group play and making a deep run in South Africa.
But it is not a lock that Germany will be the top team here. Serbia has shown it is capable of challenging after winning its UEFA qualifying group ahead of France. And Ghana finished as the runner-up in the African Cup of Nations in January.
Whichever teams emerge from Group D will have been battle-tested as much as any team in South Africa.
GERMANY: Overcoming the loss of veteran team captain Michael Ballack will be a primary concern for the Germans. Ballack was injured while playing for Chelsea in the FA Cup earlier in 2010.
Stepping into his place as Germany's offense force is rising star Mesut Ozil. While it's true Ozil has big shoes to fill, he is quite capable of filling them. Ozil is a dangerous playmaker who never lets the ball out of his sight and has terrific set-up skills.
Ozil should complement forward Miroslav Klose, who has been a reliable goal scorer in past World Cup matches. Klose already has 10 goals to his credit from Cup matches in 2002 and 2006.
Experienced defenders Phillip Lahm and Per Mertesacker should make the German backline a source of strength in tight matches.
SERBIA: There are few teams that can boast the overall balance Serbia possesses. This is a side that can switch effortlessly from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3, and such versatility could flummox many opponents. The Serbians also know how to attack flawlessly and put goals on the board in a hurry.
The Serbians's ability to move from one formation to another can be attributed to one of the best backlines in Europe. Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic are true defensive anchors and will rival any defender they face in pure skill and lockdown ability.
Serbia is also dangerous on the wings, especially coming from the left flank, where Milan Jovanovic operates best. Jovanovic was a potent offensive weapon for the Serbians during Cup qualifying matches and reigning in his finishing power is a tough chore for any defense.
AUSTRALIA: Playing watered-down opposition in qualifying stages could turn out to be the Socceroos' undoing in Group D. If Australia hopes to improve on its second-round finish in 2006, a balanced effort will be key.
Tim Cahill, of course, will be counted on to put teeth into the offense. Cahill is at his best when breaking out of the midfield and making runs forward. The Everton star can finish headers or use his feet to score with the best of them.
Lucas Niell anchors the backline for Australia, and Craig Moore offers a needed dose of veteran leadership and experience in back. Mark Schwarzer is an excellent keeper who should make the defense capable of notching a clean sheet or two.
GHANA: Depth was an asset for Ghana in the African Cup of Nations in January and it will need to come through again with several key players out of action for the African soccer power.
Chief among those major personnel losses is the absence of midfielder Michael Essien. A knee problem surfaced earlier this year for Essien, and his fitness level was nowhere near what it needed to be for World Cup play.
With Essien gone, it will fall upon midfielders like Kwadwo Asamoah to provide creative playmaking. The Ghanians will also look to Asamoah Gyan to infuse energy and transform their attack into a potent one.
EMAIL: jcoon@desnews.com