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Beckenbauer sees "real title chance"

Bayern and Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer believes that the DFB team could be capable of mounting a real challenge at the EURO 2008.

"Yes, we do have a real title chance. Maybe we're not the top favourites at the EURO. But I agree with former German national team coach Helmut Schön who always told the players: we will be tough to beat", the FC Bayern president wrote in the German "Bild" paper.

"Brave experiment"

One reason for Beckenbauer's optimism is the good form of skipper Michael Ballack. "He completely convinced me in the 2-1 win over Serbia. I saw a real captain who dictated the tempo of the game and the team's rhythm", the "Kaiser" said ahead of Germany's first game against Poland (Sunday, 20:45) in Klagenfurt / Austria.

Beckenbauer sees a possible German line-up with striker Lukas Podolski on the left side of midfield as a "brave experiment", but also as "a clear signal that Germany want to win their opening game".

Beckenbauer believes in "classic football nation"

Beckenbauer doesn't believe that another underdog will follow in the footsteps of 2004 surprise winners Greece, coached by Otto Rehhagel, but in a "classic football nation. Italy are my top favourite even with captain Cannavaro out injured. France or Holland, because only one of them will survive in the group of death. And then Spain or Germany, of course."

Beckenbauer, who lives in Austria, also had words of encouragement for co-hosts Austria. "A few months ago our neighbours were complaining about their poor national team, now they're talking about the quarter-finals. The home advantage can move mountains! And they've got enough mountains in Austria..."

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