GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Germany squad want to re-live World Cup euphoria

The German national squad took to the pitch in Stuttgart on Wednesday (August 30) to train before the match against Ireland on Saturday (September 2). With fond memories of the last time they played this specific stadium, Germany coach Joachim Loew was looking forward to the qualifier. "The World Cup is finished for us now once and for all. What we can take with us from it are the things that strengthened us during the tournament, of course we want to try to keep the euphoria as well. This is our first qualifier after the World Cup. We still remember our last World Cup match in Stuttgart against Portugal, this great experience" Loew said at a press conference after the training. "That´s why we are looking forward to playing here in Stuttgart because the crowd here was absolutely ecstatic during the match against Portugal and carried us to victory. That is why we are looking forward to playing in Portugal and are hoping to play up to our World Cup finish." Loew, who replaced Juergen Klinsmann after Germany's run to third place in the World Cup, is left with four strikers in his squad, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, Oliver Neuville and Gerald Asamoah. Germany are also missing all four of the central defenders Klinsmann took to the World Cup. "The altered defence situation is the subject right now and we have to work on it. We must not start moaning now, the players are not here and I think Arne Friedrich and Manuel Friedrich will play well as they have played this position in their clubs. (Defender Alexander) Madung is a young player but has been on this position. We have to make sure that we create a certain harmony in this part of the squad" Loew. Uncapped Wolfsburg defender Alexander Madlung was added on Monday to Germany's squad for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Ireland in Stuttgart on Saturday. The 24-year-old was called up following a series of injuries to central defenders, most recently Christoph Metzelder who was ruled out by a knee injury on Sunday. Per Mertesacker, Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny are also unavailable.

ITN Source | August 31, 2006

Tags:. .once. .experience. .conference. .ruled. .coach