Germany blends youth, experience for World Cup

BERLIN (AP) ― Mario Gomez was left off Germany’s World Cup roster by coach Joachim Loew, who selected six players with no previous national team experience for his 30-man preliminary roster.

The roster announced Thursday, which averages 24.8 years, includes among the newcomers Sampdoria defender Shkodran Mustafi (22), Borussia Dortmund defender Erik Durm (22 on Monday), Augsburg attacking midfielder Andre Hahn (23), Hoffenheim forward Kevin Volland (21), and Schalke midfielders Max Meyer (18) and Leon Goretzka (19).

Freiburg midfielder Matthias Ginter, who made his debut against Chile in March, also was picked.

“We need young dynamic players like those who perhaps only recently played themselves into contention. They can inject fresh impetus into the side,” said Loew, whose team was booed by its own fans during the lackluster 1-0 win over Chile.

Germany is grouped with the United States, Portugal and Ghana at the World Cup. Loew was an assistant to Jurgen Klinsmann at the 2006 World Cup, then took over after the tournament. Klinsmann was hired as coach of the U.S. team in 2011.

Loew thought he struck the right balance between youth and experience.