Romanian recall for Kahn
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Article summary
Germany have recalled goalkeeper Oliver Kahn for the friendly against Romania in Bucharest next Wednesday.
Article body
By Mark Bennett
Germany have restored goalkeeper Oliver Kahn to their squad for the friendly international against Romania in Bucharest next Wednesday.
Hildebrand out
The FC Bayern München player had been rested for last month's 3-0 friendly victory against Belgium to allow Arsenal FC keeper Jens Lehmann to have a rare start in the German goal. However, Kahn’s return means Lehmann will probably drop to the bench this time around while VfB Stuttgart's No1 Timo Hildebrand has dropped out of the 20-man squad.
Frings involved
Two others returning to the squad after injury are Frank Baumann and Sebastian Kehl of SV Werder Bremen and BV Borussia Dortmund respectively, while Kehl's Dortmund midfield colleague Torsten Frings has been included despite suffering a hamstring injury last week.
Lahm continues
Elsewhere, the continued absence of Stuttgart defender Andreas Hinkel means his club-mate Philipp Lahm seems certain to get a third start in a row. His versatility at playing in defence and midfield should mean Lahm will make the final squad to take part in the UEFA EURO 2004™ finals this summer.
No experiments
In the forward positions, there is no place in the squad for Hannover 96's Thomas Brdaric or 1. FC Köln youngster Lukas Podolski even though Miroslav Klose is absent with a knee injury. Völler has decided to stick with Fredi Bobic and Oliver Neuville despite both being out of favour at their clubs. Völler said: "With players like Fredi and Oliver I know exactly what I can expect. Both of them are experienced internationals and we need players like them for EURO 2004™."
Iran friendly
Earlier today, the German Football Association announced that it would play a friendly against Iran in Tehran on 9 October 2004. The game will be part of Germany's two-year warm-up for their staging of the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals.
Germany squad
Kahn, Lehmann, Baumann, Friedrich, Lahm, Nowotny, Wörns, Ballack, Ernst, Frings, Hamann, Jeremies, Kehl, Rahn, Ramelow, Schneider, Bobic, Neuville, Kuranyi, Freier.
