Friedrich gets Germany call

Joachim Löw has called uncapped 1. FSV Mainz 05 defender Manuel Friedrich into his first Germany squad as head coach for the friendly against Sweden in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday.

Injured duo
Löw, who stepped up from his role as assistant when Jürgen Klinsmann resigned after leading Germany to third place at the FIFA World Cup, is without injured centre-backs Per Mertesacker and Robert Huth so has turned to Friedrich. The 26-year-old had been included in the squad for the March friendly with the United States but did not make his debut. Otherwise the list is the same as for the World Cup, where Germany defeated Sweden 2-0 in the last 16, with the exception of retired goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Löw said: "The situation offers Manuel a chance. He only just missed out on the World Cup and performed very well last season." Germany begin their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign against Group D rivals the Republic of Ireland on 2 September in Stuttgart.

Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Timo Hildebrand (VfB Stuttgart), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal FC).

Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC Berlin), Manuel Friedrich (1. FSV Mainz 05), Marcell Jansen (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München), Christoph Metzelder (BV Borussia Dortmund), Jens Nowotny (NK Dinamo Zagreb).

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Chelsea FC), Tim Borowski (Werder Bremen), Torsten Frings (Werder Bremen), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Sebastian Kehl (BV Borussia Dortmund), David Odonkor (BV Borussia Dortmund), Bernd Schneider (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Sebastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern München).

Forwards: Gerald Asamoah (FC Schalke 04), Mike Hanke (VfL Wolfsburg), Miroslav Klose (Werder Bremen), Oliver Neuville (VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach), Lukas Podolski (FC Bayern München).