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Powerhouse Germany geared to take on mighty France in friendly
Essen, Nov 13: Germany`s Jens Nowotny will be back in black for friendly against France. Defender Jens Nowotny should play his first match for Germany in nearly two years in Saturday`s Euro 2004 warm-up against France and will have to do it in a tight, black shirt.
Essen, Nov 13: Germany's Jens Nowotny will be back in black for friendly against France. Defender Jens Nowotny should play his first match for Germany in nearly two years in Saturday's Euro 2004 warm-up against France and will have to do it in a tight, black shirt.
Nowotny, looking forward to making his comeback in the friendly in Gelsenkirchen after fighting a career-threatening knee injury, discovered on Wednesday Germany's new kit -- black shirts and white shorts.
Germany will wear it normally for away games but will sport it for the first time against France.
Saturday's game against the European champions and Euro 2004 favourites will be the last outing of the year for Germany, who made a shock first-round exit from Euro 2000 but bounced back to reach the final of last year's World Cup.
Germany and France both qualified directly for the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal by winning their respective groups.
"Of course I am happy that in 2003 we qualified for an important tournament despite the sometimes bumpy road to get there. It was not what we had imagined but I believe the last two games against Scotland and Iceland we not just played well but superior. Playing against the current European champions therefore is a true highlight and a big favourite for the title next year", said Germay coach Rudi Voeller at a news conference on Wednesday (November 12).
VfB Stuttgart striker Kevin Kuranyi, who has been linked to Bundesliga rivals Schalke 04, said on Wednesday that he would remain in Stuttgart until 2005.
"It does influence me because I have been living in Stuttgart for the past five years. It's a beautiful city and the fans support me. I have a lot of friends there and this is a difficult decision, thinking of a different club. But there is a time to experience something new. Still, as I said, I will remain in Stuttgart until 2005", said the 21-year-old.
Goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn arrived on Wednesday at Germany's training camp in the western city of Essen, near Gelsenkirchen. Kahn came a day late because of a stomach ache but could train normally.
Bureau Report
"Of course I am happy that in 2003 we qualified for an important tournament despite the sometimes bumpy road to get there. It was not what we had imagined but I believe the last two games against Scotland and Iceland we not just played well but superior. Playing against the current European champions therefore is a true highlight and a big favourite for the title next year", said Germay coach Rudi Voeller at a news conference on Wednesday (November 12).
VfB Stuttgart striker Kevin Kuranyi, who has been linked to Bundesliga rivals Schalke 04, said on Wednesday that he would remain in Stuttgart until 2005.
"It does influence me because I have been living in Stuttgart for the past five years. It's a beautiful city and the fans support me. I have a lot of friends there and this is a difficult decision, thinking of a different club. But there is a time to experience something new. Still, as I said, I will remain in Stuttgart until 2005", said the 21-year-old.
Goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn arrived on Wednesday at Germany's training camp in the western city of Essen, near Gelsenkirchen. Kahn came a day late because of a stomach ache but could train normally.
Bureau Report