in 2006, already playing two years back home, he was nominated as a stand-by goalkeeper for the world championships. after that he returned to the team, on 28 march 2007 he made his first match for the team (against denmark). in may 2008 he became goalkeeper number two after jens lehmann who was already 38 years old. after the uefa euro 2008, jens lehmann left the national team. since then, the goalkeepers changed often. on 8 october 2008, enke broke his hand, so rené adler played his first match in the national team. other goalkeepers who were tested were manuel neuer and tim wiese.