Germany - NEWS thread

[USBayernMunichFan]

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Kevin Kuranyi's four-goal performance for Schalke earlier this week has clinched his place in Germany's squad for the European Championship in June.

The striker, dropped from the Germany team just before the 2006 World Cup at home, ended a long drought by scoring four times in Schalke's 5-0 win Tuesday over Energie Cottbus in the Bundesliga.

Barring injury, Kuranyi will be on the roster, Germany coach Joachim Loew said.

"Kevin had a weaker phase, but he was always convincing with us (national team) in the past years and has scored many goals," Loew said in Thursday's editions of the Cologne Express newspaper.

"He is very valuable for us."

Kuranyi's season total is now 14 goals, third behind Bayern Munich's Luca Toni with 20 and Stuttgart's Mario Gomez with 15.

Gomez and Bayern Munich's Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski are also certain to be included in Loew's squad, but another attacking place remains unfilled.

"The fifth striker is open," Loew said.

Loew said that slot will be chosen from the four most likely candidates_ Mike Hanke of Hannover, Patrick Helmes of second-division Cologne, Stefan Kiessling of Bayer Leverkusen and veteran Oliver Neuville of second-division Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Loew did not name his favorite among the four players for the June 7-29 tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

The coach will announce his 23-man squad on May 16 atop Germany's tallest peak, the Zugspitze.

[Vargas_4]

I don't really know who could go for the 5th striker. But does it matter?

We all know that Podolski, Klose & Gomez will be the most likely to start. Kuranyi maybe to come in as a sub.

But who knows.

[Trim]

Klose is the undisputed striker. The battle for the second place is between Gomez and Podolski (though, Gomez is a favorite). Kuranyi is only the 4th striker by order. 5th one? Who cares.

[Trim]

FRINGS EYES GERMANY STARTING BERTH

Torsten Frings is set to be in the Germany starting XI at Euro 2008 if he does not suffer any more injury setbacks.

The Werder Bremen midfielder has only recently returned to first-team action after missing much of the season with a knee injury.

But national coach Joachim Low has told Frings he is wanted alongside Michael Ballack at the heart of the Germany midfield in Austria and Switzerland.

Asked whether the coach had reserved a starting place for him, Frings told the Bild newspaper: "He (Low) has told me that he needs me. When I am fit then there is not many better players than me in my position."

The holding player revealed he has been in regular contact with Low, adding: "We send text messages to each other. The last time he congratulated me on my good performance and goal against (Hansa) Rostock."

Germany head to the European Championships strongly-fancied to go all the way after their impressive showing in qualifying and at 2006 World Cup.

And Frings admitted such expectations are justified.

"We are rated like Italy, Spain, Holland and France among the favourites," he said.

The 31-year-old also hinted he could call time on his international career after the championships.

"I will definitely not play for the national team right up to the end of my career," he said.

"The first thing though is to do as well as possible at the Euros. The title would be the crowning glory."

FRINGS EYES GERMANY STARTING BERTH | Sporting Life

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Schneider ruled out of Euro 2008

A slipped disc has forced Bayer Leverkusen and Germany midfielder Bernd Schneider to undergo surgery in Hanover today.

The surgery was successful, but Schneider will miss the last five Bundesliga matches.

Bayer Leverkusen announced that Schneider is expected to resume training in July, which would definitely rule him out of the Euro 2008.

The "White Brazilian" has played just 15 Bundesliga matches this season.

Schneider is one of the most experienced players in the DFB team, having won 81 caps (four goals) for Germany.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

[Oliver_Kahn]

Terrible news.

He may not be in his prime anymore, but he is still a very influential player. I wonder who Löw will start, Fritz or Hitz ?

[__-SNAKE-__]

His experience maybe vital but imo hes a bit too old.

[Trim]

Nah man. He was meant to start at the Euro. Forget about the age, he still plays very good. It sucks to loose him for the Euro.

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Schneider confirmed as EURO absentee

Bernd Schneider will definitely miss Germany's UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign after undergoing surgery on a herniated disc in his back last week.

Absence confirmed
The Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder was originally rated as doubtful for the tournament after the operation in Hanover on 25 April. Today, however, Germany coach Joachim Löw received final confirmation of the 34-year-old's unavailability, when he was informed that Schneider has been told not to resume training for the foreseeable future.

'Vital element'
"The loss of Bernd Schneider really hurts us, as with his experience and class he is a vital element and leader in our team," said Löw, whose side face Poland in their Group B opener on 8 June. "We waited a few extra days to allow the doctors to come to a decision about the EURO but now we must accept the fact that Bernd's recovery programme will not allow for a speedy return."

Replacements
The news nonetheless means that Löw can focus his attentions on finding a replacement for Schneider during Germany's remaining pre-tournament friendlies. "Now we have a definite decision, we can better prepare for a new situation," said Löw. Schneider, who featured six times during qualification for UEFA EURO 2008™, has been restricted to 15 Bundesliga appearances this term.

euro2008.uefa.com - Schneider confirmed as EURO absentee

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Kaiser Wants Germany–Italy Final

Bayern Munich president and football legend Franz Beckenbauer is hoping for a Germany-Italy final at Euro 2008.

Germany and Italy are the two most successful European nations, having won a whopping seven World Cups and four European Championships between them over the years.

The countries have also served up some memorable matches. The 1970 World Cup semi-final in Mexico, which finished 4-3 to the Azzurri after extra time, is regarded by many as the greatest match of all time.

Italy also defeated the Germans in the 1982 World Cup final in Spain, while most recently there was the dramatic semi final in Dortmund two years ago.

“Germany-Italy would be a game to get excited about [in the final of Euro 2008],” Beckenbauer confessed.

“It would be a rematch for the World Cup semi-final. The Azzurri are always strong and Germany have grown a lot over the last two years.”

Germany and Italy have been placed on opposite sides of the draw, which means they cannot meet each other up until the final itself. Beckenbauer continued: “There’s a great equality in the tournament. At least 10 nations think that they can win it.

“I don’t think that it will be another Greece-style winner, I think it’ll be one of Italy, Germany, France and Holland.”

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Kaiser Wants Germany–Italy Final

[BlackNess]

Why not ??

I feel no fear now Unlike in the WC, we can Beat any NT out there .

[Stephan]

me, I don't know, I'm not so sure if I want to see a Germany-Italy final.

[Oliver_Kahn]

I want a Portugal-Germany final