Franz "Kaiser" Beckenbauer.
Greatest fussball-player and coach ever.
Led Germany 1974 and 1990 to the world-championship.

-Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland)82,000,000 inh.
-capital:
Berlin (3.3 millions)
-major cities:
Hamburg (1.8)
Munich/München (1.2)
Cologne/Köln (1.0)
Frankfurt (0.7)
Essen (0.7)
-languages spoken: german, frisian, sorbian
-religions: evangelic (42%), catholic (35%), muslim (5%), and others

americans usually mistake germans (inh. of germany)for car constructors wearing leather shorts. In fact, leather shorts are not at all popular in most parts of the country and car construction is not part of the general education plan. Only few folks in Bavaria (state in the country's deep south, capital Munich) still wear leather shorts, but mostly as an attraction for American and Japanese tourists. Wearing leather shorts in northern cites like Hamburg, you may find yourself beaten up or at least laughed at, so beware! Germany is also well known for beer ("Beck's" from Bremen in the very north, "Löwenbräu" from Munich, "Holsten" from Hamburg...) great authors and soccer. (Fussball).

german verb for play

anything related to and from modern Germany:

As in the 'offs': what every hardcore footie fan in Britain does pre-match.
These are the fights that preceed the big games and get started by the leaders of hooligan gangs, or the 'generals' aka topboys: the elite fans that rule over hooligan crews or 'dressers'.
Even the beatiful game of football in Britain is now called 'fussball' by sportcasters. You go figure why..

In an act that most English speaking countries find bemusing, Soccer (Association Rules) is seeking to be referred to as "Football." Although many countries in Europe do indeed refer to Soccer as Futbal, Fussball, or something similar, almost all English speaking countries refer to it as Soccer. Therefore, if non-English speakers want to communicate in the international language, they too must refer to Soccer with its internationally accepted English title.

Fortunately, American, Australian, Canadian, South African, Irish and New Zealand English teachers are doing a good job in Asia by ensuring that Asians refer to Soccer by its correct title. Sadly, European trade barriers are resulting in teachers from Britain dominating in Europe and poor vocab is being taught as a result. Most Europeans now misunderstand one of the most important words in the English language.

Perhaps Australian Soccer's desire to change its name is an acknowledgement of deficiency of its image, and the desire to steal an image more dear to an Australian's heart. The word football carries an image of gladiatorial combat. It is an image that has been built on the back of courage displayed in Aussie Rules (aka the beautiful game), Rugby League , Rugby Union and Gridiron. On the other hand, Soccer is a game whose players role around in agony if a fly touches their knee. Soccer does not belong in the same gladiatorial sentence with the football codes. It belongs in the same sentence as badminton, bow...

the american term for football. why the yanks call it `soccer`, who knows? 10 players on each team try and score in the opponent`s goal, defended by the goal keeper, who is the only player allowed to pick up the ball. the other ten must use their feet. thus the name football.