Things falling into place for champions

Germany will find out who stands between them and a successful defence of the World Cup as the draw for the 2018 finals in Russia is held in a glitzy ceremony within the Kremlin in Moscow today (5pm).

After beating Argentina in the final at the Maracana in Rio to lift the World Cup in 2014, the aim for Joachim Loew’s side now is to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy.

Having already won the Confederations Cup in Russia earlier this year with a fringe squad, the Germans are leading favourites for glory, a status that Loew himself has said there is no avoiding.

Then again, not everyone agrees.

“I don’t like how Germany play. They have a structure and a wellorganised project but they don’t have the kind of stars the other powers do,” Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli said this week.

Certainly, the Germans can expect stiff competition from the Brazil of Neymar – revitalised after their nightmare 7-1 loss to the Germans on home soil – and Spain in particular.

The first step, though, is discovering who they will meet in the group stage as the focus turns to the State Kremlin Palace, where snow and freezing temperatures will greet the footballing world.

For all the talk of the controversial awarding of the tournament in the first place, of the friction between Russia and the West, and of fears over hooliganism and potential terror attacks, the draw marks the moment when excitement really starts to build.

Coaches, players and fans will get an idea of who their teams will face, when and where in this enormous country which will see games staged at venues in 11 different cities, often thousands of kilometres apart, between June 14 and July 15.

Germany, Brazil and Argentina are all in the first pot along with France, European champions Portugal, Belgium, Poland and the hosts.

But if those nations are certain of avoiding each other, danger lurks in pot two, where the Spanish – rebuilt into a formidable force by Julen Lopetegui after poor showings in 2014 and at Euro 2016 – lie along with England.

Spain and England will surely be crossing their fingers in the hope of being paired with Poland or the Russians.

Fifa will keep apart sides from the same continent with the exception of Europe, which has 14 representatives to go into the eight groups.

As a result, most of the sections will contain two European nations, raising the prospect of England or Spain meeting Germany or France right from the start.

Alternatively, there is the possibility of Gareth Southgate’s side being drawn with Iceland in a repeat of the Euro 2016 clash in Nice that ended in humiliation for Roy Hodgson’s England. – AFP

– Joachim Loew (above) is comfortable with Germany carrying the favourites tag for next year’s World Cup, but the coach has a few areas to strengthen before his team’s title defence.

England or Spain are lurking in pot two as potential group-stage opponents for the champions.

Loew talked about the 2018 finals as being “the hardest tournament so far” of his 12 years in charge.

“I am totally relaxed and don’t have any sleepless nights,” insisted Loew after a 2-2 draw against France in their final friendly of 2017 a fortnight ago.

Germany are unbeaten in their last 21 internationals, dating back to the defeat by France in the Euro 2016 semifinals.

Loew’s goal is to arrive in Russia with every position covered, but he needs key players to return from injury and to find understudies for wing-backs Jonas Hector and Joshua Kimmich.

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Marco Reus has been out since May with a knee injury, while captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is out until January at the earliest after fracturing his foot.

Juventus defender Benedikt Hoewedes and Dortmund winger Andre Schuerrle, both of whom played in the 2014 final victory over Argentina, are out of form.

However, he is not short of options, especially in midfield.

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan is back fit after a serious knee injury while Mario Goetze, whose extra-time goal won the final in 2014, is shining in a struggling Dortmund team after recovering from a metabolic disorder.

Loew’s gamble to rest all of his 2014 stars for the Confederations Cup in Russia earlier this year paid off when they beat Chile 1-0 to win the tournament.

Midfielder Leon Goretzka and forward Lars Stindl forced their way into Loew’s World Cup plans with strong displays.

Timo Werner proved himself as a fleet-footed striker, ending Germany’s wait for a replacement for Miroslav Klose. – AFP