GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Germany and Republic of Ireland gear up for their Euro 2008 qualifier in Stuttgart

The German and Irish national soccer teams were gearing up in Stuttgart on Friday (September 1), ahead of their opening Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday (September 2). The Republic of Ireland were training in Stuttgart. Speaking at a news conference, Republic of Ireland coach Steven Staunton said that he was pleased with preparations before the match. Meanwhile, Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given said that the players were looking forward to playing Germany, a team that finished third in the World Cup. However, he stressed that the players were going to try their best during the match. "We won't roll over and die, we've come here to get a result and we haven't come here to make up the numbers," Given said. The match, which kicks off at 1845 GMT, is Germany's first qualifier since 2003, after being exempt from having to qualify for the World Cup finals. The team are playing under new coach Joachim Loew and will be boosted by a 3-0 friendly win over Sweden two weeks ago. Ireland on the other hand were thrashed 4-0 at home in a friendly by Netherlands on the same night. Loew told journalists at a news conference that Germany now want to put the World Cup behind them, and that he wants to instill new motivation in the players. Loew is however facing an injury crisis as four central defenders will be out injured for the match. Germany's impressive run to the World Cup semi-finals was based on the solid partnership of Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker at centre back. However, both those players are out injured, as are Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny. The match will also be Loew's first competitive match in charge, following his promotion from the assistant's role under Juergen Klinsmann at the World Cup. The Germany players will also be able to choose their own brand of boots for internationals after the country's Football Association (DFB) agreed a new long-term deal with sponsors Adidas. Up to now, German players have had to wear Adidas boots when on international duty, even though some have individual contracts with other sportswear firms. Senior players held talks with the DFB before the friendly against Sweden in Gelsenkirchen in mid-August, amid reports of a threatened strike. The DFB then agreed to try to find an amicable solution, allowing players free choice of boots under the new Adidas contract. Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann told journalists at a news conference that there was never any problem with the quality of Adidas boots. He suggested that players found wearing different boots when playing for their club and for their country difficult. He likened the change of boot to a change of mattress. Germany's next match is away to San Marino on Wednesday (September 6) Their other Group D opponents in the qualifying stages include Cyprus, Cyech Republic, Wales and Slovakia.

ITN Source | September 2, 2006

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