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In Pictures: The best of Germany

These are the teams, managers and players who have captured the spotlight after their success in the European Champions.

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Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: Second Leg
Ahead of the 2012/13 Champions League, Borussia Dortmund were considered outsiders. How little we know, eh! The German side were the only team in the competition to reach the semi-finals without losing. But their greatest feat came with a defeat - one that saw them to an aggregate victory over Real Madrid and a place in the Wembley final.
Published On 5 May 2013
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Bayern Munich were not outsiders like Dortmund after reaching the 2012 final. But what a disaster that was! On home turf the favourites lost in a penalty shoot-out to Chelsea. But this year they enter the final with a crushing 7-0 semi-final win over Barca. 
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There aren(***)t many football managers as charismatic as Dortmund(***)s Juergen Klopp. He could barely contain his excitement after Dortmund scored twice in injury time to steal a semi-final spot from Malaga. But who could blame him? Is the best yet to come...
Bayern Munich''s coach Heynckes points to players from sideslines during Champions League semi-final first leg soccer match against Barcelona in Munich
And the manager Klopp will klopp up against in the final is Bayern Munich(***)s Jupp Heynckes. He has masterminded a near-perfect campaign but is to hand over the reigns to Pep Guardiola at the turn of the season.
Borussia Dortmund''s Lewandowski celebrates after Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match against Real Madrid in Madrid
Right now one of the most sought after players in the world is Dortmund(***)s Robert Lewandowski. He scored all four of Dortmund(***)s goals in their first-leg semi-final against Real Madrid. There are already rumours Man United and Bayern are interested... 
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Bayern(***)s top goalscorer in the Champions League is Thomas Muller (R) with eight goals. A special mention should go to Arjen Robben (L) who drove Barca to distraction during their semi-final. Not many people can drive Barca to distraction! 
Borussia Dortmund''s Lewandowski celebrates with Weidenfeller after Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match against Real Madrid in Madrid
From the front to the back. Sometimes it(***)s nice to remember the men in the net. Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller (L) is solid between the sticks and has kept his cool when it mattered. What else would you expect from a man who has been with the club since 2002.
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Bayern Munich vs FC Barcelona
The goalkeeper who has to keep Lewandowski under control is Munich(***)s Manuel Neuer. Neuer is newer (...sorry!) to Bayern, joining the German outfit in 2011 following five years with Schalke 04. He took and scored the third penalty for Bayern against Chelsea in the 2012 final - but couldn(***)t be his team(***)s saviour in the shoot-out. Will he be this year?
Borussia Dortmund''s Kehl celebrates after Champions League semi-final second leg soccer match against Real Madrid in Madrid
So who are the captains hoping to lead their teams to European glory? Will captain Kehl be cool enough (sorry... again!) to keep Dortmund united against the German champions? Defensive midfielder Sebastian Kehl has been with Dortmund since 2001 and has 31 caps for Germany. 
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Last but not least there(***)s Bayern captain Philipp Lahm - one of the world(***)s best fullbacks. Lahm was in Bayern(***)s second team when the firsts won the 2001 title - so there will be plenty of fire in his belly. The victors remain unclear but Germany has already won.