By Dan Warren

Six years ago, when Germany were named as hosts of the 2006 World Cup, it seemed sure they would be among the favourites.

If death and taxes remain life's only certainties, German success in major football tournaments is a close third.

That seemed truer than ever in 2002 when an uninspired Germany reached the final before losing to Brazil.

But the feeling their run owed more to luck than skill seemed validated when Germany endured a dreadful Euro 2004, exiting at the group stage.

Former striking hero Jurgen Klinsmann took the reins in the aftermath of that debacle - but can he inspire the hosts to emulate the West Germany side of 1974 and lift the cup on home soil?

Attack: Miroslav Klose is not a name which has struck fear into international defences.

Klose has been in superb form for Werder Bremen this season

The man who will lead Germany's attack managed just 11 minutes as a substitute during Euro 2004 - without scoring.

Five goals in the 2002 World Cup seems better. But it is slightly misleading, given that three were in an 8-0 drubbing of an abysmal Saudi Arabia, and none came after the group stage.

Since then, Klose, 27, has blossomed.

German football expert Paul Chapman, who has covered the Bundesliga for 30 years, told BBC Sport: "He has been absolutely exceptional for Werder Bremen this season.

"He's scored 25 league goals, created 14 others and netted the goal which got Werder Bremen second place.

"He's not just putting it in from close range, he's scoring from all angles, with his head and with acrobatic kicks.

"With Lukas Podolski alongside him up front Germany have pace and movement. They will be dangerous."

Form: This Germany team may not boast the household names of their predecessors.

WINNING WORLD CUP HOSTS 1930: Uruguay 1934: Italy 1966: England 1974: West Germany 1978: Argentina 1998: France

But their key players have all been in top form in recent months.

As well as Klose and Podolski, Germany have arguably the tournament's form goalkeeper in Arsenal's Jens Lehmann.

And while England fans purr about their midfield, the German's middle four looks well-balanced.

"Everyone knows how good Michael Ballack, the new Chelsea star, is," said Chapman.

"Torsten Frings holds things together in front of the defence, with Tim Borowski - a very steady player - on the left.

"Bernt Schneider is on the right and can drift to the wing, and if things aren't working out, Klinsmann could replace Borowski with Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is exciting.

"If you don't support Germany, one of the things to worry you is that they have a lot of players who have come into form at the right moment."

Ruthless Klinsmann: If things go badly for Germany, they need not worry that their coach will be a soft touch.

Klinsmann has proved he is not afraid to shake things up by dropping Oliver Kahn - as established in the Germany team as David Beckham is for England - in favour of Lehmann.

His ruthless edge when it comes to team selection should stop complacency from his big stars.

And it doesn't stop with Kahn.

Chapman said: "The biggest sensation in his squad was that he dropped Kevin Kuranyi, the Schalke striker. That was amazing.

"When Klinsmann took over in 2004, he enjoyed a fairly successful run and owed it to Kuranyi. He was the only one putting the ball in the net.

"He looked an absolute certainty, even though his form dropped. He was expected to make the squad. But I think it's a wise decision."

Defence: It is probably just as well that Germany have an excellent keeper in Lehmann.

Nowotny will have a lot of responsibility for Germany

He is likely to be very busy.

Klinsmann recalled Jens Nowotny, the 32-year-old Bayer Leverkusen centre-back, to his defence and Chapman said the veteran would have plenty of responsibility.

"He'll partner Per Mertesacker, who has had a good finish to the season - but more from an attacking point of view than a defensive one.

"He's scored five goals, all with his head, from dead-ball situations. That's fine, but he's looking shaky in defence.

"Mertesacker's a rarity, a squeaky-clean defender. He hardly ever sees a yellow card, but seems to hate to tackle anyone.

"He needs somebody alongside him, cajoling him, and Nowotny is the man.

"But Germany are also weak on the flanks with Phillipp Lahm and Arne Friedrich.

"Lahm has struggled following an injury before this season and Bayern Munich replaced him with Bixente Lizarazu. And I don't rate Friedrich one bit.

"Germany have to score goals, because there is no doubt they will leak them."

Disunited front: Klinsmann attracted criticism from fans and media for choosing to remain in California for much of the build-up to the tournament.

UNCONVINCING GERMANY From last summer's Confederations Cup to March 2006, Germany played EIGHT games They won THREE, with TWO draws and THREE defeats They were beaten by SLOVAKIA (2-0), TURKEY (2-1) and ITALY (4-1)

His public approval rating reached its nadir after a 4-1 friendly defeat to Italy in March.

And it was not just the fans who were upset.

Theo Zwanziger, chief executive of the German football association (DFB), said Klinsmann "should have been more present" in Germany.

German legend Franz Beckenbauer criticised Klinsmann for not attending a World Cup coaches' workshop.

And former players Sepp Maier and Lothar Matthaus have also verbally attacked the former striker.

Stuart Dykes, who works as a translator for Bundesliga side Schalke, told BBC Sport: "There's been a lot of sniping.

"The outgoing president of the German FA criticised clubs for not co-operating with Klinsmann, then Klinsmann issued a statement saying that wasn't true.

"You don't know what's happening, when you get a senior figure making that statement and Klinsmann rushing out to deny it."

Whether the Germans can put the disagreements to one side remains to be seen.

No strength in depth: You will not hear talk of metatarsals in Germany right now.

The squad is in form and, at the moment at least, has a clean bill of health.

But should that situation change, then so will the mood of the nation.

"Germany still have four friendly games before the finals start," said Chapman.

"There's always the chance of one of their stars picking up an injury.

"It would only need an injury to Podolski, to Klose or to Ballack for the mood to quickly change."

Dykes agreed: "I think people are fairly divided on Germany's chances.

"Some are optimistic because of Germany's reputation at big tournaments, despite their poor form leading up to it.

"Some look at Euro 2000 and Euro 2004 and say the team is not good enough.

"One thing is certain. If Ballack is injured, the mood in Germany will take a turn for the worse."