Team: GERMANY

[Vargas_4]

A bit unfair to Timo. He has done quite well in key matches for Valencia. Sure he conceded a lot but not really all his fault.

[__-SNAKE-__]

Yea I agree, Timo should have been there, not bloody Enke or Lehmann. This proves that Low and Kopke are Lehmann lickers

[Trim]

Lehmann > Hildebrand.

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Hildebrand Stunned By Euro Snub

Valencia goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand has admitted his shock after being left out of Germany’s squad for Euro 2008.

In a surprise decision, the experienced twenty-nine-year-old keeper was left out of manager Joachim Low's squad for the finals, with Jens Lehmann, Bayer Leverkusen youngster Rene Adler and Hannover’s Robert Enke being preferred.

The decision came as a major surprise, particularly as Hildebrand spent the qualifying campaign as the main challenger to Lehmann, and was expected to be the man to come in and replace Lehmann as number one after the tournament concluded.

The Valencia man used his own personal website to emphasise his disappointment at the decision not to pick him for Austria and Switzerland.

"This morning, goalkeeper coach Andreas Kopke called me and informed me that the national team's coaching team had decided not to nominate me for the upcoming European Championships," he wrote on the website.

“Obviously, there is nothing I can do but accept this decision as it is, but I cannot understand it whatsoever. I have been in the squad for all the qualifying matches and there was no criticism of my performance and no indication that it was not enough.

"It has always been clear to me that I am the number two, but I will challenge [to be number one] because my form and performances are right, because I am fit and because the time is right.

"For this, not being picked is completely unexpected and comes from out of nowhere. I am surprised, shocked and irritated by the decision,” he concluded.

Manager Low did not indulge the reasons over Hildebrand’s omission, but did admit that the player had taken the news badly.

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Hildebrand Stunned By Euro Snub

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Germany coach explains Marin call

Germany coach Joachim Low has explained his shock decision to call up uncapped midfielder Marko Marin from Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 19-year-old was one of three 2.Bundesliga players included with Monchengladbach team-mate Oliver Neuville and Cologne's Patrick Helmes also selected in a 26-man squad which will be reduced to 23 after a training camp in Majorca, which commences on Monday.

"He has something special, an incredible quality in a one-on-one situation and we did not have a player like him," said Low of Marin.

The diminutive midfielder has played an important role in Monchengladbach's promotion season but was surprised to be handed the chance to showcase his talents in Austria and Switzerland this summer.

"If six months ago somebody had said to me that I could legitimately hope of being at Euro 2008, I would have declared them crazy," he told the Express newspaper.

"Usually as a player in the second division, you are not in the public eye.

"Although the opponents will be a lot stronger, I know I can help any team with my dribbling skills and deadly passes, so why can I not make it in the national team."

The surprise omission was Valencia goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand, who was previously regarded as the main challenger to Arsenal stopper Jens Lehmann.

In place of Hildebrand, Low selected Bayer Leverkusen's Rene Adler, who has yet to win a cap.

"Obviously we know what a decision like this means to the players and how they feel," explained Low.

"They were all disappointed and Hildebrand particularly so.

"I decided that for this tournament I wanted a player who had better perspectives for after it too."

In midfield, the names of Schalke's Jermaine Jones, who has just one previous call-up, and Real Betis' David Odonkor, who last played just after the 2006 World Cup, did not figure in many squad predictions.

Both have had serious injuries this season and only returned to their respective club sides in the last few months.

Real Madrid defender Christoph Metzelder was also named in the squad, but his fitness will be assessed with a final decision over his participation due to be taken when the final 23 players are named on May 28.

"We want to exhaust all of our options," added Low.

"That is why we chose one or two extra players.

"With the nominations, this is the beginning of the European Championships for us.

"We are delighted it is finally starting."

Germany coach explains Marin call - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

[Buddha14]

Why did he not pick Neuer i'd pick him over lehmann anyday

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Marin Reveals Call-Up Surprise

The last week has been an extremely good one for Mönchengladbach wide man Marco Marin. Promotion to the Bundesliga was followed on Friday will a shock call-up to Joachim Löw’s preliminary squad for Euro 2008.

The 19 year old is one of three players from the second division called up by Jogi Löw with team mate Oliver Neuville and Cologne’s Patrick Helmes joining him.

“I was very surprised with the call-up and at first I couldn’t believe it” Marin revealed.

There were a few surprises in the Bundestrainer’s squad which was announced from atop the highest mountain in Germany- the Zugspitze. Timo Hildebrand was the main loser being left out completely, but the real shock came with the inclusion of uncapped winger Marin.

However Löw is convinced the youngster has what it takes to make a potential impact during the tournament. “Despite his size, he is not a fledgling. He has tremendous qualities in one-on-one situations. We do not have too many players like him” Löw said.

Marin has developed well this season during Mönchengladbach’s push for promotion to the Bundesliga and has already been capped at U-21 level.

“We have been watching him for a while now, and he can do some very surprising things” Löw revealed.

Despite the fact that he could well be one of the three names to be left out of the final 23-man squad, the youngster remains in upbeat mood. “I’m just looking forward to going to Mallorca for the training camp” he admitted.

Borussia sporting director Christian Ziege has added to the praise for his young charge. “It is tremendous when two of our players get called up to the national team. Marin deserves it.”

Goal.com - Germany - Marin Reveals Call-Up Surprise

[Dragoen]

I am really impressed by the nominations. Leaving out the overrated Hilbert and the overrated Hildebrand. Marin will play the role Messi and Odonkor played at the WC 2006 he will be the Super Sub.

Now about the three players to be erased from the squad before the tournament. I hope it will be: Odonkor, Trochwoski and Neuville/Helmes

[Dragoen]

Yeah just like the huge amount of luck we had with qualifying as the first team or better with even qualifying. I can remember there were some team that did not have much luck.

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Germany is seeking to fill out their elite roster for the EURO 2008. 20 days before the first match against Poland, the German international team flew to Mallorca on Monday to finally begin making serious preparations for the upcoming tournament.

"We're happy that we're really able to get to work now. We're looking forward to a good training period without any injuries, so that we can get a good start in the tournament", said German team coach Joachim Löw on Monday at a press conference in Frankfurt.

Between tension and relaxation

While the team around Löw seemed relaxed, there was palpable tension amongst the players, who know three candidates will be eliminated in ten days.

"Three more players will be packing their bags. So every player will fight and give it all they have. It raises the tension on the team to have so much competition before a tournament. I will do everything I have to stay on the team," said Schalke's pro Jermaine Jones.

Ballack and Metzelder to arrive later

Two important players were missing from the 26 who took the trip to Mallorca.

Captain Michael Ballack and Christoph Metzelder are due to arrive later at the camp. Ballack will play on Wednesday (May 21) in Moscow with FC Chelsea in the finals of the Champions League, and Metzelder plays with Spanish champions Real Madrid on Tuesday (May 20) in Saudi Arabia.

While Metzelder is to arrive on Friday at the latest, Löw will have to wait longer than expected on Ballack. "I can't say just yet whether he'll come on Friday. It might be that he'll need another day. We would have preferred to have a decision about that by this point," said Löw.

Players, wives and children

Even without Ballack and Metzelder, the German international coach enjoys the luxury for the first time in a long time of being able to have several training sessions with the players.

The DFB team had a total of 24 players heading off to camp, accompanied by 17 players' wives and eight children. Suprise story Marko Marin was without his girlfriend.

"She's still in school. That's why she can't come", said the 19 year-old from Gladbach. "I want to definitely show the coach I belong on the team. So I'll give it my all in training", said Marin

Friday will decide fates of questionable candidates

The 24 players will train lightly over the first three days. In three different groups, depending on the workload from last week, they will train lightly twice per day.

Starting Friday, when the players' wives and children leave, it will become critical for questionable candidates like Jones, Piotr Trochwoski, David Odonkor and Patrick Helmes.

"Whoever ends up going home does so not because of a lack of quality. It's only a snap shot", assured Löw.

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

[BlackNess]

Originally Posted by Dragoen

Now about the three players to be erased from the squad before the tournament. I hope it will be: Odonkor, Trochwoski and Neuville/Helmes

Agreed .

[USBayernMunichFan]

Germany will be fine without Timo.

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BALLACK TO JOIN GERMANY ON MONDAY

Michael Ballack will not be expected to join up with his Germany team-mates until Monday after playing in the Champions League final on Wednesday night.

Ballack is in Moscow as Chelsea prepare to take on Manchester United and the midfielders is expected to be in Avram Grant's starting eleven.

He will then be given several days rest before heading to Kaiserslautern to join up with the rest of the Germany squad ahead of their friendly with Belarus on Tuesday afternoon.

Germany have set up a training camp in Mallorca and Ballack will return with them there after Tuesday's game.

Christoph Metzelder is the other member of Germany's preliminary 26-man squad yet to join up with his team-mates, as the Real Madrid midfielder is on a post-season tour of Saudi Arabia with his club.

SportingLife.com

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DUO TARGET GERMANY ROLES

Uncapped duo Rene Adler and Marko Marin have vowed to show Germany coach Joachim Low they deserve to be in his squad for Euro 2008.

The two youngsters were the surprise names in Low's 26-man squad for a training camp in Mallorca.

Three players will have to be axed before the final party of 23 is revealed on May 28, but the newcomers are determined to justify their call-ups.

Leverkusen stopper Adler is almost certain to keep his place as the preliminary squad only contains three goalkeepers, but Marin's is less certain.

"I will aim to convince the coach that I deserve to be here," the Borussia Monchengladbach winger said on Thursday.

"I want to show my strengths in the national team."

Low is already convinced of the 19-year-old's talents and admits it took him "just 10 minutes" to decide he was worthy of being part of the training camp.

"I have only seen him once myself and knew after just 10 minutes that I wanted to take him," said Low.

"I want to see his strength in one-on-one situations."

The pint-sized winger, who has been likened to Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, is eager to show off the dribbling ability which inspired his club to the second division title this season.

Low has been working on the players' fitness during the first four days of the 12-day training camp, but the squad will take to the pitch on Friday.

"I cannot wait to get playing football," Marin said. "I am really excited now we are finally getting out there."

Adler, 23, was chosen ahead of Valencia's Timo Hildebrand as the third-choice goalkeeper and is hoping to learn from number one Jens Lehmann and back-up Robert Enke.

He said: "It won't harm me to take a few tips from Jens Lehmann, who given his performances in the past is the number one in my eyes, and Robert Enke.

"I want to learn every day I am with the national team."

SportingLife.com

[__-SNAKE-__]

We all knew that Adler should have been in the NT long ago, but not instead of Hildebrand...