Friedrich steps up for Germany
Thursday, August 15, 2002
Article summary
Rudi Völler has included Arne Friedrich in his squad for the friendly against Bulgaria.
Article body
Germany head coach Rudi Völler has announced today the squad for next week’s friendly international against Bulgaria in Sofia.
Friedrich included
For his first match since the FIFA World Cup final Völler has appointed rising star Arne Friedrich of Hertha BSC Berlin, plus promising youngsters Daniel Bierofka of Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paul Freier from VfL Bochum, as well as 15 members of the World Cup squad. The 23-year old Friedrich joined Hertha from DSC Arminia Bielefeld a few months ago and played his first 1. Bundesliga match last Friday, against BV Borussia Dortmund.
Comebacks
For Bierofka and Freier it will be a return to the national team having played twice and once respectively in friendlies prior to the World Cup finals. There are also comebacks for Ingo Hertzsch and Alexander Zickler. Next week’s match in Sofia will be Völler’s only test prior to the start of the EURO 2004™ qualifying competition on 7 September against Lithuania.
Germany squad
Kahn, Lehmann, Friedrich, Hertzsch, Kehl, Metzelder, Ramelow, Ballack, Bierofka, Böhme, Freier, Frings, Hamann, Jeremies, Schneider, Asamoah, Jancker, Klose, Neuville, Zickler.