Final chance for German hopefuls

The Germany coach Silvia Neid will learn a bit more about which players will travel to the FIFA Women's World Cup as the holders take on Denmark on Sunday and the Czech Republic on Thursday, after which five players will be told they will not be going to China.

'Difficult'
Neid has selected 26 players for the games in Magdeburg and Gera, but only 21 will be involved in the UEFA European Women's Championship qualifier against Switzerland on 22 August and the final friendly before heading east versus Norway eight days later. Neid said: "It will be difficult to choose which players will miss out, and I've been pleased with the efforts of everyone so far - you can see everyone wants to take their chance."

Mittag hope
Anja Mittag, the 22-year old 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam forward, added: "There are many players unsure whether they'll be making the trip to China. I suppose all 26 players will feature in the two friendlies, and then of course it's up to the coach to decide. I can't express what it would mean for me to go to the World Cup, it would beat everything I've done so far in my career."

'Interesting match'
Denmark will also travel to the World Cup, and Neid knows the Scandinavians will provide stiff opposition: "They have a strong team, without a doubt. Both teams have started preparing in earnest for China so it's going to be an interesting match. The game against the Czechs will be different, I expect them to remain deep in their half and challenge our creativity. It's always difficult to create chances when the space is tight, and that's exactly the kind of opponent we're looking for right now."

Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Nadine Angerer (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Ursula Holl (SC 07 Bad Neuenahr), Silke Rottenberg (1. FFC Frankfurt), Ulrike Schmetz (FC Bayern München).

Defenders: Saskia Bartusiak (1. FFC Frankfurt), Sonja Fuss (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Ariane Hingst (Djurgårdens IF FF), Sandra Minnert (SC 07 Bad Neuenahr), Annike Krahn (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Babett Peter (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Bianca Rech (FC Bayern München), Kerstin Stegemann (SG Wattenscheid 09).

Midfielders: Fatmire Bajramaj (FCR 2001 Duisburg), Melanie Behringer (SC Freiburg), Linda Bresonik (SG Essen-Schönebeck), Britta Carlson (VfL Wolfsburg), Kerstin Garefrekes (1. FFC Frankfurt), Simone Laudehr (FCR
2001 Duisburg), Renate Lingor (1. FFC Frankfurt), Navina Omilade (VfL Wolfsburg).

Forwards: Martina Müller (VfL Wolfsburg), Anja Mittag (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Conny Pohlers (1. FFC Frankfurt), Birgit Prinz (1. FFC Frankfurt), Sandra Smisek (1. FFC Frankfurt), Petra Wimbersky (1. FFC Frankfurt).