Germany and Ireland don't look back ahead of Euro qualifier By Jens Mende

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Published: Thursday August 31, 2006

By Jens Mende, Stuttgart, Germany- Germany kicks off its Euro 2008 qualifying campaign against Ireland on Saturday, trying to blend a World Cup nostalgia with a new challenge. The game takes place in Stuttgart where the team secured third place at the World Cup less than two months ago amid a national euphoria.

But it is also the start of a new era, with victory a must on that day and next Wednesday in San Marino despite the injury-related absence of all World Cup central defenders.

"There is no change in our ambitions. We want to get out of the starting blocks well in the double header. We want the six points," said coach Joachim Loew.

"We must look ahead and not look back. We must have new aims, approach new tasks and develop a new motivation. The upcoming games could be tests of patience."

Captain Michael Ballack, who returns from a hip injury, agrees.

"This is the start of a new chapter. We must motivate ourselves again which won't be easy," said Ballack, who left Bayern Munich for English champions Chelsea in summer.

Defenders Per Mertesacker, Christoph Metzelder, Robert Huth and Jens Nowotny are all sidelined with injury, but Loew said that "I don't want to complain, the players are simply not available."

Hertha Berlin captain Arne Friedrich is due to form the central defence with Mainz 05 man Manuel Friedrich who has played a mere 45 minutes for Germany in the August 16 friendly win against Sweden.

Germany want to continue this way with most hopes resting on Ballack and in-form marksman Miroslav Klose.

But they can not be deceived by Ireland's last result two weeks ago, a humiliating 4-0 home defeat against the Netherlands.

Manager Steve Staunton has a full squad available this time around as goalkeeper Shay Given and forwards Robbie Keane and Damian Duff return from injury.

Ireland managed to held Germany 1-1 at the 2002 World Cup with a last-gasp goal from the skipper Robbie Keane but then failed to qualify for Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.

However, they have good memories of the Stuttgart arena where they upset England 1-0 at Euro 1988.

"With a full squad we go to Germany with a bit of confidence. The quality we have in the team should see us through," said Everton midfielder Kevin Kilbane.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur