Germany Keen to Keep Unbeaten Run Going Against Denmark
November 15, 2000 - 0:0
COPENHAGEN Germany, lacking two key midfielders due to injuries, will field their strongest possible side in today's international friendly against a Denmark side eager to try out several new players.
Rudi Voeller, whose side is unbeaten since he took over as national team coach in July, said before the squad departed for Copenhagen it was important not to waste the positive team spirit that has built up since their poor showing at Euro 2000 in the summer.
Even though Germany will be without two key midfielders, Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack and Hertha Berlin's Stefan Beinlich, Voeller will be looking for a win against the country that scored their greatest ever success when they beat Germany 2-0 in the European championship final in 1992.
Ballack is still suffering after he took a knock on his right calf while Beinlich has an injured heel which has forced him to fly back from Copenhagen to Berlin.
His fellow Hertha Berlin midfielder Dariusz Wosz is in Voeller's squad, despite a pinched nerve.
In defense, Borussia Dortmund's Joerg Heinrich looks set to start for another injured Hertha player, Marko Rehmer, while Bayer Leverkusen's Jens Nowotny and Bayern Munich's Thomas Linke also look like featuring in the starting lineup.
Denmark must make do without veteran goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who is out of action until January with a knee injury.
This will give Sunderland's Thomas Soerensen the chance to prove his worth and Denmark Head Coach Morten Olsen, who said he is willing to experiment actively, may also let Jesper Christiansen, recently acquired by Glasgow Rangers, play.
Another newcomer in the Danish squad is Dutch league Roda's tall striker Marc Nygaard, who is likely to come in as a substitute for Schalke forward Ebbe Sand.
FC Copenhagen's Niclas Jensen could get the opportunity to show whether Denmark may finally have found a player able to take PSV Eindhoven stalwart Jn Heintze's undisputed position in left defense.
"They (Germany) are the strongest opponents we have met," Olsen said, referring to his tenure as Denmark's head coach, which like Voller's began in July.
"Of course our prestige is on the line here but it does not cost anything so we have room to experiment," he said.
(Reuter)
Rudi Voeller, whose side is unbeaten since he took over as national team coach in July, said before the squad departed for Copenhagen it was important not to waste the positive team spirit that has built up since their poor showing at Euro 2000 in the summer.
Even though Germany will be without two key midfielders, Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack and Hertha Berlin's Stefan Beinlich, Voeller will be looking for a win against the country that scored their greatest ever success when they beat Germany 2-0 in the European championship final in 1992.
Ballack is still suffering after he took a knock on his right calf while Beinlich has an injured heel which has forced him to fly back from Copenhagen to Berlin.
His fellow Hertha Berlin midfielder Dariusz Wosz is in Voeller's squad, despite a pinched nerve.
In defense, Borussia Dortmund's Joerg Heinrich looks set to start for another injured Hertha player, Marko Rehmer, while Bayer Leverkusen's Jens Nowotny and Bayern Munich's Thomas Linke also look like featuring in the starting lineup.
Denmark must make do without veteran goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who is out of action until January with a knee injury.
This will give Sunderland's Thomas Soerensen the chance to prove his worth and Denmark Head Coach Morten Olsen, who said he is willing to experiment actively, may also let Jesper Christiansen, recently acquired by Glasgow Rangers, play.
Another newcomer in the Danish squad is Dutch league Roda's tall striker Marc Nygaard, who is likely to come in as a substitute for Schalke forward Ebbe Sand.
FC Copenhagen's Niclas Jensen could get the opportunity to show whether Denmark may finally have found a player able to take PSV Eindhoven stalwart Jn Heintze's undisputed position in left defense.
"They (Germany) are the strongest opponents we have met," Olsen said, referring to his tenure as Denmark's head coach, which like Voller's began in July.
"Of course our prestige is on the line here but it does not cost anything so we have room to experiment," he said.
(Reuter)