Breaking Down Germany's World Cup Group Stage Opponents

At long last, the groups at the 2014 World Cup have been decided. The long-anticipated draw took place at a Friday gala at Costa do Sauipe Resort in Bahia. And for Germany, qualifying for the knockout rounds will be expected, but anything but a walk in the park.

Drawn from Pot One, the three-time world champions were able to avoid heavyweights like Spain and Brazil, but they were placed with the ever-talented Portugal and two very physical sides in Ghana and the USA in Group G.

Ghana are familiar opponents for Germany—the two sides met in the 2010 World Cup group stage. The West Africans had an impressive CAF Qualifying campaign, having won Group D with 15 out of a possible 18 points—the most of any team in Africa.

The Black Stars were a tough nut for Germany to crack at the World Cup in South Africa. Their physical style of play frustrated Joachim Loew's side, but Mesut Ozil's effort from distance settled the result in Germany's favor. Fast-forwarding to 2014, Ghana have a more mature squad, with the likes of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah and the Ayew brothers—Andre and Jordan—having all made substantial career progress since 2010.

Ghana have a very physical team and more options in attack now than four years ago. Much depends on the fitness of Boateng, whose recurring knee injuries are a concern. However, if the 26-year-old is on form, he could pose a big danger for Germany and his brother, Jerome.

The next team drawn into Group G was the USA, a match made in heaven or hell depending on one's perspective. The Stars and Stripes will once again face Ghana, who eliminated them from the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and a Germany team that knocked them out in the 2002 quarterfinals.

Adding to the narratives that will play into the buildup is the head-to-head between USA coach Juergen Klinsmann and his former understudy, Loew. The former is a great motivator and will have a special impetus to urge on his team, which will likely include several German-born Bundesliga players.

Like Ghana, the USA play a very physical game. And Germany know well enough that the Americans are more than capable of scoring: When the two sides met in a friendly last June, the Stars and Stripes put four past goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in a 4-3 win.

All upsets aside, Germany's most significant foreseeable competition for top spot in Group G will be Portugal, whom they have met in three of the last four major international tournaments. In the 2006 third-place match, Germany beat the Portuguese 3-1. At Euro 2008, Joachim Loew's side beat the Seleccao 3-2 in the quarterfinals. The two sides did not meet in South Africa but went head-to-head at Euro 2012, in which Mario Gomez's strike on 72 minutes decided the outcome in Germany's 1-0 win.

Portugal may be facing a bogey team in Germany, but Die Mannschaft would be foolish to underestimate Cristiano Ronaldo and company. Although perennial underachievers in qualifiers, the Iberians are always up for the big occasion and have many top players aside from Ronaldo, the obvious danger man.

No World Cup group could ever be considered "easy," but it's safe to say that Germany could have been drawn into a less challenging group. Loew's side will certainly be favorites, but they will have it all to do if they are to overcome the significant hurdles they face in Brazil.

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