question: Name the retired German footballer who played as a striker, possessing great aerial ability and finishing skills and considered one of the key players for VfB Stuttgart in the 2003-04 season where they only just failed to finish in the top three for the second season in succession?
answer: Kevin Kurányi
context: Title: VfB Stuttgart II
  Passage: VfB Stuttgart II is a German football team located in Stuttgart, currently playing in the Regionalliga Südwest due to their relegation from the 3.  Liga in the season 2015/16.  They are the reserve team of VfB Stuttgart.  Until 2005 the team played under the name of VfB Stuttgart Amateure.
  Title: Erwin Hadewicz
  Passage: Erwin Hadewicz (born 2 April 1951) is a retired German football player.  He spent nine seasons in the Bundesliga with FC Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart.  As of May 2011, he works as a scout for VfB Stuttgart.
  Title: 2017–18 VfB Stuttgart season
  Passage: The 2017–18 VfB Stuttgart season is the 125th season in the football club's history and 52nd overall season in the top flight of German football, the Bundesliga, having been promoted from the 2.  Bundesliga in 2017.  In addition to the domestic league, VfB Stuttgart also are participating in this season's edition of the domestic cup, the DFB-Pokal.  This is the 85th season for Stuttgart in the Mercedes-Benz Arena, located in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.  The season covers a period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.
  Title: Kevin Kurányi
  Passage: Kevin Dennis Kurányi (] , ] ; born 2 March 1982) is a German retired footballer.  He played as a striker and possessed great aerial ability and finishing skills.  From 2003 to 2008, Kurányi was part of the German national team, for which he scored 19 goals in 52 games.
  Title: Sven Schimmel
  Passage: Sven Schimmel (born July 30, 1989) is a German footballer who plays as a defender for SV Wehen Wiesbaden.  He began his career with VfB Stuttgart, and made his debut for the reserve team in October 2008, as a substitute for Johannes Rahn in a 3.  Liga match against Fortuna Düsseldorf.  He made 46 appearances for VfB Stuttgart II before joining SV Wehen Wiesbaden in 2011.
  Title: Christian Gentner
  Passage: Christian Gentner (born 14 August 1985 in Nürtingen) is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for and captains VfB Stuttgart.  He won the Bundesliga twice, with VfB Stuttgart in 2007 and VfL Wolfsburg in 2009.  He was also called up three times to the senior Germany squad.
  Title: Andreas Hinkel
  Passage: Andreas Hinkel (born 26 March 1982) is a retired German footballer.  He played as a right back and played 21 caps for Germany.  Hinkel was known for his attacking play on the flanks and defensive solidity.  He is now the manager of VfB Stuttgart II.
  Title: Oliver Barth
  Passage: Oliver Barth (born 6 October 1979 in Stuttgart) is a retired German footballer, currently serving as assistant coach for VfB Stuttgart II.
  Title: Steffen Handschuh
  Passage: Steffen Handschuh (born 26 April 1980) is a retired German football player.  He spent two seasons in the Bundesliga on the roster of VfB Stuttgart, but only played one league game, coming on as a substitute for Christian Tiffert and scoring the second goal in a 2–0 win against SC Freiburg on 7 April 2002.  His father, Karl-Heinz Handschuh, played in the Bundesliga for 14 seasons from 1966 to 1980 for VfB Stuttgart and Eintracht Braunschweig.
  Title: 2003–04 VfB Stuttgart season
  Passage: VfB Stuttgart debuted in the modern-era 32-team Champions League with a progression from the group stage and a somewhat surprising victory with 2–1 against English champions Manchester United.  Ultimately, the tournament ended with a narrow defeat to Chelsea.  Kevin Kurányi, Philipp Lahm and Alexander Hleb were key players in a side that only just failed to finish in the top three for the second season in succession.  Following an initial eight clean sheets, the attack suffered from only Kurányi being able to score, despite goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand keeping 18 clean sheets.
citations: Kevin Kurányi 2003–04 VfB Stuttgart season