Germany coach Joachim Low has named only eight members of his FIFA World Cup™ party in the squad to face Denmark on Wednesday. Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese, Jerome Boateng, Serdar Tasci, Toni Kroos, Marko Marin, Piotr Trochoski and Mario Gomez have all been included on an 18-man list, while Thomas Hitzlsperger, who was a surprise exclusion for South Africa 2010, returns.

Low has also named two new faces, with Sascha Riether of Wolfsburg and Marco Reus of Borussia Monchengladbach in line for their international debuts in Copenhagen. Hannover's Christian Schulz is also included for the first time since Joachim Low replaced Jurgen Klinsmann at the Germany reins in 2006. The defender's last of three caps came in February 2005 against Argentina.

It was clear to us from the beginning that we would have to do without established names after the World Cup.
Germany coach Joachim Low

By naming such an inexperienced squad, Low has accommodated the wishes of the Bundesliga clubs, who were unhappy at the prospect of losing key players during their pre-season preparations. "It was clear to us from the beginning that we would have to do without established names after the World Cup," explained the 50-year-old coach.

"We are aware of our responsibility towards the form and the health of our national-team players. Particularly given the high strains placed on them at the World Cup, it is therefore important now for them to concentrate on their club football in preparation for the new season."

However, Low rejected the idea that he has named a reserve team for the first match since beating Uruguay in the match for third place in South Africa. "It was decisive for us that we nominated players who we had been observing before the World Cup and who had been able to put themselves in contention for selection with their good performances," Jogi explained.

Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Schalke), Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen)

Defenders: Andreas Beck (Hoffenheim), Jerome Boateng (Manchester City), Sascha Riether, Marcel Schafer (both Wolfsburg), Christian Schulz (Hannover), Serdar Tasci (Stuttgart)

Midfielders: Christian Gentner (Stuttgart), Thomas Hitzlsperger (West Ham), Aaron Hunt, Marko Marin (both Werder Bremen), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Marco Reus (Borussia Monchengladbach), Christian Trasch (Stuttgart), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburg)

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich), Patrick Helmes (Bayer Leverkusen).