> This is the first time Germany and China play each other in a major hockey competition.
> Germany have won the last two World Cups in 2002 and 2006.
> Their last Olympic final came in 1992, when they beat Australia in the gold medal match.
> Germany qualified for Beijing 2008 by winning the Qualifying Tournament in Kakamigahara, Japan.
> Markus Weise became coach of the German men's team in 2006, after leading the German women to Olympic gold at Athens 2004.
> China's men's team makes its Olympic debut at Beijing 2008.
> China finished fifth in last year's Asia Cup beating Pakistan 3-2 in the final 5-6.
> China are one of four men's teams at Beijing 2008 that are led by a foreign head coach joining: Belgium, Canada and Spain.