Voller dumps Bierhoff as Germany captain

Germany coach Rudi Voller has acted to dump AC Milan veteran Oliver Bierhoff as his captain.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn takes over the tough trip to play Greece on Wednesday night in Athens in a 2002 World Cup qualifier.

Bierhoff captained the German team in their poor 2-1 win over Albania on Saturday but he is in poor form for both club and country and is almost certain to move from Milan in the summer.

Voller has denied that Bierhoff is to be axed permanently as captain but he will decide the striker's fate later this week and depending on the performance and result in Greece.

Although Germany have won their three games so far in group nine the Jens Jeremies, Dietmar Hamann and Carsten Remelow midfield selection by Voller was a clear failure and the coach will make changes to play in Greece. Michael Ballack could start the game in Athens and the scorer of Saturday's 88th minute winner - Miroslav Klose may start the match with Bierhoff demoted to substitute.