Hockey expert ALISTAIR HOGG previews tonight's Australia-Germany World Cup final.

Is it fair to attach a label of "underachievers" to a nation that has medalled at eight consecutive World Cups?

Probably not, but for the overall strength of the Australian men's hockey team, the Kookaburras ultimately lack recent success at one of the biggest tournaments in world hockey.

Winners of the past two Champions Trophies, the past three Commonwealth Games and of course that thrilling gold medal in Athens, Australia has not been able to break through for a World Cup in 24 long years.

Tonight, that can change.

The in-form Kookaburras take to the field in New Delhi against an undefeated German outfit seeking to win their third consecutive World Cup and both teams have had a relatively untroubled run on their way to the final.

Australia were forced to play for their lives after an opening loss to England, but passed the test with flying colours, topping Pool B on 12 points (level with England) but with a staggering goal difference of 17, thanks mainly to a 12-0 thrashing of South Africa.

Germany had to settle for draws against lively Korea and arch rival the Netherlands but were rarely tested, winning Pool A on 11 points.

The defending champs then brushed England aside 4-1 while the Kookaburras edged the Dutch 2-1 to set up a glamour final in India.

Prior to 2002, a unified German team had never even reached a World Cup final. But since their breakthrough win in Malaysia, Germany has picked up a habit for winning this tournament at Australia's expense.

They claimed their first World Cup with a 2-1 win over Australia in Kuala Lumpur and defended the crown four years later with a 4-3 thriller in Monchengladbach, much to the delight of the home fans.

It's been a case of so near, yet so far for Australia's World Cup campaigns.

Despite losing the last two finals by just a goal each, the Kookaburras have reached a total of five third place playoff games in a span of just six World Cups. Incredibly, Australia has won bronze on every occasion which means they have medalled in the past eight World Cup tournaments dating back to 1978 (nine including tonight's outcome, whatever it may be).

While this is an undeniable show of Australia's strength on the world stage, the Kookaburras will desperately be seeking a long overdue World Cup breakthrough and there's no reason to go into the final lacking confidence.

In addition to their recent form, the Kookaburras own a distinct mental edge over Germany after coming back from 3-1 down at half time to win the Champions Trophy in Melbourne last December .

While guaranteeing nothing, it will certainly give an already confident side that extra bit of self-belief as they once against tackle the mighty Germans for the right to be crowned World Cup Champions.

With the sting of this recent defeat still lingering, Germany will be keen to avenge that loss and win an unprecedented third straight title. However with the Kookaburra's depth, talent and red hot form, this may be Australia's best chance yet to break its World Cup drought.