The Germans are renown for being pretty darn good at everything. And we all know they are. One of the many things on their "the things we're better than you at" list, just below "penalties", is "producing world-class goalkeepers". You've just got to look at past players such as Oliver Kahn, Andreas Kopke or Sepp Maier to justify this point.

The Germans are renown for being pretty darn good at everything. And we all know they are. One of the many things on their "the things we're better than you at" list, just below "penalties", is "producing world-class goalkeepers". You've just got to look at past players such as Oliver Kahn, Andreas Kopke or Sepp Maier to justify this point.

Nachdem monatelang über die Zukunft von Nationaltorwart Manuel Neuer spekuliert wurde und vor allem der FC Schalke 04 – welcher seine Nummer eins halten wollte – und der FC Bayern – der eine neue Nummer eins suchte – um den 25-Jährigen stritten, startete dieser nun am gestrigen Freitag in die Vorbereitung auf die neue Saison – beim FC Bayern München.

The problem with goalkeepers is that they are a nostalgic breed.

I say "the problem" of course there are many problems with goalkeepers. But here's one. Most goalkeepers seem to be suckers for a bit of nostalgia.

And that's the thing about goalkeeper glove makes like Reusch and uhlsport.

By Chris Wright

Because everything looks better in black and white...

A young Martin O'Neil sits at the back of the bus as Nottingham Forest parade the European Cup trophy along the Trent Embankment after beating Malmo in the 1979 final

Peter Shilton, Trevor Francis, Larry Lloyd, Ian Bowyer et al celebrate Nottingham Forest's 1979 European Cup win a feat they also repeated the following year

King Kenny wakes up with the European Cup in his bed after scoring the winning goal against Club Brugge in the previous night's final, 1978

Bayern Munich's Georg Schwarzenbeck tackles St Etienne's Herve Revelli (r) from behind as Munich goalkeeper Sepp Maier looks on, 1976

St Etienne's Gerard Janvion (r) blocks a shot from Bayern Munich's Uli Hoeness, 1976

St Etienne goalkeeper Ivan Curkovic saves at the feet of Bayern Munich's Gerd Muller, 1976

Leeds scrappers Joe Jordan and Billy Bremner pick a fight with Bayern Munich's Gerd Muller, 1975

Gerd Muller celebrates Bayern Munich's 2-0 victory over Leeds United in the 1975 final

After thrashing Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the 1974 final replay, Bayern Munich pair Johnny Hansen and Gerd Muller watch the reaction of the fans as Der Kaiser lifts the trophy

Bayern Munich's Paul Breitner is foiled by Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Reina, 1974

Ajax (Johan Cruyff first row, second from right) line up prior to the 1971 European Cup Final against Panathinaikos at Wembley

Liz Samain, grandmother of Chelsea legend Ron 'Chopper' Harris, stands proudly with the European Cup.

"Goalkeepers are not born, they are made. Every quality a keeper needs mental or physical can be acquired through training. He must be a perfectionist; always ready to develop and better themselves."

These are the wise words of the great Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff a man who had achieved virtually everything; at the tender age of 40 he captained his side to World Cup glory in 1982.