Today is D-Day.

In fact, it's double-d day. This Friday, the 16th of May 2008, will see the decision that Deutschland has been most eagerly anticipating for months now. (Well, Fussball-Deutschland anyway.)

Who will be in the squad for the EURO 2008? Which players will get those rare tickets to Austria and Switzerland? Who will be disappointed, and who will be granted a chance to climb all the way to the top of that alpine mountain? (As shown in this very good ad.)

Though hours away yet, this most fateful of decisions, to be made by our most fashionable coach, Jogi Löw, has me biting my nails already. About seven or so German TV stations will be broadcasting live from the Zugspitze at 13:30 CET, which is 8:30pm for me. With my luck, of course I'll be in class then.

While about 16 of the 23 available spots seem more or less filled, and while the Ballacks, Frings and Lehmanns are certainly on board, those never-ending injury problems have left some very large question marks.

Bremen's Tim Borowski, for instance, though just recovering from injury, should be safe enough, especially since Bernd Schneider's injury needs to be compensated for. David Odonkor, on the other hand, even though he was somewhat of a "joker" figure during the 2006 World Cup, hasn't been doing particularly well in Sevilla and, to be frank, I don't think there's much to him apart from the amazing speed at which he can run. And, though I hate the guts of him, Kevin Kuranyi will of course be in the squad, though at least he won't be starting. Ha.

As for the last of the five striker positions, things aren't all that clear at all. Also, in defense there's a lot of room for surprises...

As painful and nerve-wracking as it is, I guess we'll just have to wait.

Bis dann,

Nadine (COME ON NOW, TELL ME ALREADY!

Yep. You're in. No question whatsoever.

Das teuerste Stueck Scheisse der Welt...

You're in- nawt! Or are you?

17 or not, I'd love him to go!