Latvia v Germany - PREVIEW
German scalp for Latvia?
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| Germany's midfielder Torsten Frings (R) is congratulated by teammate midfielder Bernd Schneider after his goal, 15 June 2004 at Dragao stadium in Porto, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations in Portugal. AFP PHOTO / DDP Marcus BRANDT |
The big-guns take on the small-fry in Group D on Saturday with Germany desperate for three points and Latvia hoping to cause an upset in the biggest game of their history.
On paper, Latvia, who lie 45 places below Germany in the FIFA world rankings, are cannon fodder for the World Cup finalists but football is not played on paper.
"It is no coincidence that Latvia are here," explained Germany coach Rudi Voller. "We cannot underestimate them as they have already beaten Sweden and Turkey. That is no mean feat."
With the onus firmly on giants Germany, Voller is set to bolster his attack to penetrate a defensive-minded Latvian outfit.
"We have to go forward and be a lot more attacking than against the Dutch," admitted Voller. "I will use another striker against Latvia."
Fredi Bobic and 2002 World Cup star Miroslav Klose are vying for the right to partner Kevin Kuranyi in attack.
Voller wary
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| Latvian midfielder Maris Verpakovskis (C) celebrates with teamates after scoring against the Czech Republic, 15 June 2004 during their opening match of the European Nations football championships at the Aveiro municipal stadium in Aveiro. Latvia and the Czech Republic are competing in Group D with Germany and the Netherlands. |
Speedy Latvian striker Maris Verpakovskis, who scored in the opening 2-1 defeat by the Czech Republic, is the man Voller fears most.
"We know all about Verpakovskis," admitted Voller. "He is quick and scored quite a few goals in the qualification."
In an interesting aside, the German media revealed that goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn and Latvian roots.
Kahn's grandfather Rolf, now 86, worked for the German navy in the Baltic coast town of Liepaja where he married a local girl, Erika Alksnis.
Teams
Germany: Oliver Kahn (capt), Arne Friedrich, Christian Worns, Frank Baumann, Dietmar Hamann, Fredi Bobic, Kevin Kuranyi, Michael Ballack, Bernd Schneider, Philipp Lahm, Torsten Frings
Coach: Rudi Voller
Latvia: Aleksandrs Kolinko, Igors Stepanovs, Vitalijs Astafjevs (capt), Mihails Zemlinskis, Olegs Blagonadezdins, Aleksandrs Isakovs, Imants Bleidelis, Maris Verpakovskis, Andrejs Rubins, Andrejs Prohorenkovs, Valentins Lobanovs
Coach: Aleksandrs Starkovs
Referee: Mike Riley (ENG)