Ernst bolsters German party
Thursday, October 2, 2003
Article summary
Fabian Ernst has been recalled to Germany's depleted squad for their final Group 5 qualifier against Iceland.
Article body
Germany coach Rudi Völler has recalled Fabian Ernst after his options for the decisive UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier against Iceland were depleted by injury.
Ernst recalled
With defensive midfield players Dietmar Hamann, Torsten Frings and Jens Jeremies all ruled out, SV Werder Bremen's Ernst returns nearly 14 months after his last cap against Bulgaria. A win or draw in Hamburg on 11 October would book unbeaten Germany's place in Portugal - but defeat would consign them to the play-offs.
Further absentees
Midfield players Sebastian Deisler, Paul Freier and Jörg Böhme and defenders Tobias Rau, Christian Ziege and Christoph Metzelder are also out, but there are no other additions to the squad that drew 0-0 in Iceland and beat Scotland last month to go top of Group 5, leaving Völler with an 18-man party.
Germany squad
Kahn, Lehmann, Baumann, Friedrich, Hartmann, Hinkel, Rehmer, Wörns, Ballack, Ernst, Kehl, Rahn, Ramelow, Schneider, Bobic, Klose, Kuranyi, Neuville.