GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Germany players given day off after 2-0 victory over Sweden, Podolski says next opponent Argentina "a further test"

Record ID: 335520

  • Title: GERMANY: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Germany players given day off after 2-0 victory over Sweden, Podolski says next opponent Argentina "a further test"
  • Date: 25th October 2005
  • Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (JUNE 25, 2006) (REUTERS) GERMANY TEAM MANAGER OLIVER BIERHOFF WALKING ONTO STAGE WITH GERMAN FA SPOKESMAN HARALD STENGER WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE SOUNDBITE (German) OLIVER BIERHOFF, GERMANY TEAM MANAGER SAYING: "There was a lot of joy in the dressing room of course. A lot of the players were very exhausted and you could see that. They were almost too exha
  • Embargoed: 9th November 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAA5JB3IPQ5Z6MPZWVCKXEU14SQ
  • Story Text: The Germany squad has been given a day off on Sunday (June 25) following their 2-0 victory over Sweden a day earlier, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said in Berlin.
    "We thought that after these exhausting days and the strain the players went through we would let them relax for a day since there is enough time until Friday and so they can clear their heads."
    "But then we will have two training sessions on Tuesday," Bierhoff added.
    Asked to comment on next Friday's game against Argentina, Germany striker Lukas Podolski said "the Argentinians play good soccer but I also like those kinds of teams."
    "I prefer playing against stronger teams rather than weaker ones. Sure, Argentine will be a strong opponent and a further test for us," Podolski said.
    Two uninspired performances in Germany's opening World Cup games saw Podolski written off as lacking at least the nerve and perhaps the skill to live up to his reputation as the best German striker in a generation.
    After a self-affirming goal against Ecuador and now a match-winning double against Sweden, the 21-year-old has shown he can provide the cutting edge that Germany have lacked since current coach Juergen Klinsmann was in his prime.
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