The waiting finally comes to an end at 18:00 CET on Friday, when hosts Germany run out in front of a 59,416 full house at the FIFA World Cup Stadium Munich to open the 18th FIFA World Cup against Costa Rica.
FIFAworldcup.com assesses the key personalities and facts in the build-up to a Group A match that is equally anticipated several thousand miles away in Costa Rica.


The players
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann had one or two surprises up his sleeve when he announced his squad for the FIFA World Cup. Kevin Kuranyi and Fabian Ernst of Schalke and Werder Bremen's Patrick Owomoyela all failed to make the cut, but uncapped Borussia Dortmund prodigy David Odonkor received a shock call-up. Not to be outdone, Costa Rica boss Alexandre Guimaraes provided a surprise of his own by declining to name Norway-based Roy Miller, a left-back with Bodo Glimt.

How they qualified
Germany qualified automatically for the 2006 FIFA World Cup as the host nation. Costa Rica finished third behind the USA and Mexico in the CONCACAF Zone, sealing a berth at the finals with five victories, a draw and four defeats in ten qualifying fixtures.

Previous meetings
The sides have never previously met at full international level, although they have twice crossed swords at FIFA U-20 World Championships. The Ticos won 2-1 on both occasions (Doha/Qatar 1995 and Lagos/Nigeria 1999).

Tournament history
The 1930 and 1950 finals aside, Germany have competed with distinction at every FIFA World Cup tournament, lifting the Trophy on three occasions (1954, 1974 and 1990). Costa Rica make a third visit to the event after appearances in 1990 and 2002. The Central Americans won plaudits for their unencumbered attacking flair and fine individual skills in both Italy and Korea/Japan.

Key contest
The outcome could well depend on the form of the teams' star strikers, Miroslav Klose and Paulo Wanchope. Few will forget the German centre-forward's explosive display in his team's opening match at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, as he contributed a hat-trick to a thumping 8-0 victory over Saudi Arabia. The Polish-born striker finished top scorer in the Bundesliga last term with 25 goals. However, Wanchope is no mean goal-getter himself, a record of 43 goals in 67 internationals making him the Ticos' all-time leading scorer. At 29, Wanchope has clocked up a decade in the national team, and experienced the European stage at Derby County, West Ham United, Manchester City and Malaga.

Coaches
Klinsmann took the Germany helm in the summer of 2004 after their debacle at UEFA EURO 2004 in Portugal. The California-based 41-year-old has earned praise for rebuilding the team around a crop of promising youngsters. The Germans have won 15, drawn seven and lost five in 27 matches under Klinsmann. Guimaraes is justifiably regarded as one of the most able coaches in Costa Rican footballing history. The Brazil-born tactician has twice plotted a course through FIFA World Cup qualifying for the diminutive Central American nation. As a player, he contested all four of Costa Rica's matches at their historic first finals appearance in 1990.

Go with Germany but watch out Wanchope ;D