Germany's Loew is expecting a rough ride

BERLIN - Germany may have the pedigree of having won three World Cup titles but Joachim Loew's side will not have an easy ride against Australia, Ghana and Serbia in Group D.

Germany dominated their qualifying group on the road to South Africa, humbling Russia home and away, but each of their Group D rivals also finished top of their qualifying groups.

Having reached the final of Euro 2008, Germany have largely been untested since losing 1-0 to Spain in the final nearly two years ago but have a balance of promising talent and seasoned veterans, even without the injured Michael Ballack.