Neuville - tenacious forward with an eye for goal (Allsport)

By Paul Walker, PA Sport, Seoul

Germany may have won the World Cup three times, but this current crop of players were never for one minute thought of as the team to equal Brazil's record of four.

They now stand just one game away from doing just that, ironically against Brazil in Yokohama on Sunday.

Here PA Sport looks at the men who could become heroes:

OLIVER KAHN (goalkeeper) - Regarded as the world's best goalkeeper, he has been outstanding so far and has conceded just one goal in six games. Much depends on his continued excellence, with Rudi Voller singling out his captain as the key to their chances. Kahn has been at Bayern Munich for eight years, winning four championships, the UEFA Cup and Champions League. A nigh-on certainty to win the Yashin Award for the tournament's best goalkeeper.

THOMAS LINKE (defender) - Bayern Munich defender has been an ever-present in this tournament. The 32-year-old has vast experience having won four Bundesliga titles, the UEFA Cup and Champions League. Started his career with East German side Rot-Weiss Essen before moving to Schalke and then Bayern.

CARSTEN RAMELOW (defender/midfielder) - Bayer Leverkusen utility man who played the first three games, was banned for a match and failed to regain his place against the USA. The 28-year-old returned for the semi-final and gave his best performance of the tournament. Equally comfortable at either centre-back or in the midfield anchor role.

CHRISTIAN ZIEGE (defender/midfielder) - Formerly with Liverpool and Middlesbrough, the 30-year-old has regained his form at Tottenham, but was left out of the starting line-up against South Korea. With 70 caps, he is the most experienced player in the German squad.

SEBASTIAN KEHL (defender) - Borussia Dortmund defender who played his first game of the tournament in the quarter-finals, but lost his place to Ramelow for the next match. At 22 he has already played for Freiburg and Hanover before turning down Bayern Munich to move to Dortmund in January. Coached by former German great Matthias Sammer, he helped them win the Bundesliga this year.

CHRISTOPH METZELDER (defender) - Another Dortmund star, at 21 is a newcomer to the squad, making his debut less than a year ago. Has benefited from an injury to Jens Nowotny and has played in all Germany's games in the Far East so far. His assured performances as the Leverkusen captain's deputy have proved he can be a fixture in the side for years to come.

DIETMAR HAMANN (midfielder) - The Liverpool star has been so crucial to his club's five cup triumphs in the last two seasons. At 28 he is at the peak of his career. Played for Bayern Munich before moving to English football. When this defensive midfielder plays well, so do Liverpool and Germany. He will be even more vital now midfield partner Michael Ballack is suspended.

BERND SCHNEIDER (midfielder) - Right-sided midfielder, important to Germany's attacking options, and ever present in the tournament. Now 28, has played for Carl-Zeiss Jena and Eintracht Frankfurt before joining Bayer Leverkusen three years ago. Had a great run to the Champions League final this year with some outstanding displays.

TORSTEN FRINGS (defender/midfielder) - Werder Bremen player has been employed as a right-back or wing-back during the finals to great effect. The 25-year-old is being targeted by several top clubs and is likely to leave Bremen shortly.

JENS JEREMIES (midfielder) - Bayern Munich midfielder, who at 30 has been unable to force his way into the German starting line-up in the Far East. However he has been used as a substitute five times. Great success at club level, three German Bundesliga titles, plus the Champions League triumph last year.

MARCO BODE (midfielder/forward) - The 32-year-old has been at Bremen all his career. Figured at Euro 96 and has won a German title and the European Cup Winners' Cup as well as three German cup triumphs. Played against Paraguay and South Korea, and has made three other substitute appearances.

MIROSLAV KLOSE (forward) - Five goals in the tournament so far, all with his head. The Kaiserslautern striker has been impressive in this World Cup, scoring crucial goals in the qualifiers. The Polish-born forward reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals with his club.

CARSTEN JANCKER (forward) - The 6ft 5in Bayern Munich striker started in the early matches in the tournament, but has found himself sidelined in the knock-out phase. Has four German titles as well as the Champions League. Previously with Rapid Vienna and Cologne.

OLIVER NEUVILLE (forward) - Little striker who has forced his way into the team. He is a tenacious, terrier-like forward. The Bayer Leverkusen man, now 29, has had spells with Rostock, Tenerife and Geneva.