Kevin Kuranyi [Schalke]

[Oliver_Kahn]

Schalke have imposed an undisclosed fine on Kevin Kuranyi after the striker reacted angrily to bring substituted in his side’s 4-2 extra time defeat to Cologne in the German Cup on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old was hauled off at half-time by manager Mirko Slomka after a largely ineffective display, though refused to rejoin his team-mates on the substitutes' bench after showering.

"I don't know whether he was frustrated, or whether it was a mental block, but of course he has to be with the team," said general manager Andreas Mueller, who added that the player would be summoned to a meeting on Wednesday.

Kuranyi's form has suffered ever since he moved from Stuttgart to Schalke last year in a deal worth 7 million euros, and he lost his place in the Germany squad to Oliver Neuville in the build-up to the World Cup.

http://www.eurosport.com/football/bu...to993394.shtml

[Oliver_Kahn]

Striker Kevin Kuranyi met up with bundesliga.de to talk about his goals with Schalke 04 and his frustration of missing out on the World Cup.


Kevin Kuranyi used to play for Germany, but German head coach Jürgen Klinsmann dropped him shortly before the World Cup.

The striker has Brazilian and Panamanian nationalities as well and was born in Rio de Janeiro. He came to Germany in 1997 and ended the Bundesliga season 2002-03 in second place with VfB Stuttgart.

He was coached by Felix Magath back then, together with other talented young players including Philipp Lahm and Andreas Hinkel.

Kuranyi then joined Schalke 04 in 2005. He has played in 132 Bundesliga matches, scoring 51 goals. He also won 35 caps for Germany, netting 14 times.

bundesliga.de: Kevin Kuranyi, you are a combination of a lot of nationalities. Which do you feel like most?

Kevin Kuranyi: Naturally, I feel like a little of each. I was born in Brazil, my father is German, my mother is from Panama and I've lived in all three countries.

bundesliga.de: But your name is Hungarian isn't it?

Kuranyi: That's right. That's where my grandfather's from. The name is originally Hungarian.

bundesliga.de: You first came to Germany at 16 years of age after living in Brazil. Have you acquired German character traits since then?

Kuranyi: Yes, quite a few. I've been living in Germany for eight years and have learned a lot about the German mentality. I finished my high school here in Germany and my football career started here and I've learned a lot from Germans.

bundesliga.de: Were you already able to speak German or did you learn it after you arrived?

Kuranyi: I learned to speak German after arriving here when I was 16 years old.

bundesliga.de: Was it difficult or is it a lot easier when you're 16 than later on?

Kuranyi: It was a little tough since I didn't know a single word. But when I went to school I learned it more or less (laughs).

bundesliga.de: You played football in South America when you were young and then came to Germany. How much different is Germany compared to South America, especially with regard to youth football?

Kuranyi: Yes, in Brazil the kids play an awful lot of street football, whenever and wherever they get the chance, in the breaks at school, or after school among friends kicking the ball against a garage door. You're always ready to play football and you can do and learn a lot. It's different in Germany, it's much more organised and you can join a football club. I think everything's much better in Germany right now. There are so many small clubs that develop so many good players and try to teach good ball technique and combine football with education.

bundesliga.de: Did it bother you a lot when you couldn't participate in the World Cup in Germany?

Kuranyi: I was very, very sad. But luckily I had my little son who cheered me up.

bundesliga.de: There was an international game between Germany and Brazil in 2005. And you still haven't forgotten it have you?

Kuranyi: Yes, of course. It was in Berlin and the match ended 1-1 and I scored a goal. My friends in Brazil and everywhere were so happy for me, because it was always one of my dreams to play a game sometime against the Brazilian national team.

bundesliga.de: What are your personal goals for your sports career?

Kuranyi: I'm trying to be as successful as possible with my club Schalke 04, to win trophies - both in the Bundesliga and at the international level.

bundesliga.de: How well do you think Schalke 04 will do this season?

Kuranyi: I hope that at the end of the season we're at the top of the standings.

bundesliga.de: Do you go through any personal rituals before a match?

Kuranyi: I always pray before the game. I pray that it will be a good match, that no one will get injured, both on my team and the opponent's team; and that, God willing, we win the game.

bundesliga.de: At the end of the season if there were a big headline, what would you want written about Kevin Kuranyi?

Kuranyi: Kevin Kuranyi scores, making Schalke 04 German champions!!!

[Oliver_Kahn]

I can't see Schalke winning the title.

[Oliver_Kahn]

A Kuranyi double Schalke's 4-0 victory against Mainz

[Oliver_Kahn]

Kuranyi scored 1 goal in Schalke's 4-2 victory against Cottbus

[Oliver_Kahn]

Kuranyi again on the score sheet, this time against Dortmund.
He scored one and Schalke won 3-1

[Oliver_Kahn]

Kevin Kuranyi with a brace as Schalke won 3-1 at Frankfurt

[Trim]

Good goals by Kuranyi to secure Schalke the win.

[Oliver_Kahn]

He should be called for the NT imo

[Trim]

^ Yeah, definately. He's better then Asamoah and Neville.

[Oliver_Kahn]

This season, also better than Poldi

[Trim]

^ Yeah, the world cup was very tiring for a young player like Poldi. Plus the injuries he got are not letting him show his full abilities. But don't worry, he will explode soon.

[Oliver_Kahn]

I sure hope so. We need Prince Poldi to start scoring, we aren't sure about Pizarro's future.

[Trim]

I hope we get rid of Pizarro asap. I hate him.
He moves like a bitch, he playes with his head down.

[Oliver_Kahn]

But he scores