[Brasil]

Germany coach wants big show against Cyprus


Written by: AFP

Germany´s head coach Joachim Loew is insisting on a top-class performance against minnows Cyprus in Hanover on 17 November to wipe out memories of Germany´s Euro 2008 Czech humbling last month. HANOVER, Germany (AFP) - Germany's head coach Joachim Loew is insisting on a top-class performance against minnows Cyprus in Hanover on Saturday to wipe out memories of Germany's Euro 2008 Czech humbling last month. The Cypriots have been Group D's over-achievers and drew 1-1 with Germany a year ago in a Euro 2008 qualifier, but the Germans are still smarting from their 3-0 humbling by the Czech Republic on home turf in Munich last month. Germany qualified with a 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin last month, but Loew inists they finish with a flourish against Cyprus, and then Wales in Frankfurt next Wednesday, to restore some pride. "We made errors which we have not seen for a long time against the Czech Republic, that is something we still need to talk about, because a performance like that will not be tolerated again," Loew told German sports agency SID. "We want to finish the two games with wins and then we can take the necessary confidence into our preparations for next summer's European Championships. "The players have to show good form, not only in the two games, but also in the seven or eight training camps we will have." Germany unveiled their new strip, which they will wear on Saturday, and has been designed for next summer's European Championships to be held in Austria and Switzerland. Loew's first-choice goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will win his 50th cap, despite having missed the last 16 games for Arsenal after losing his place at the Premier League side. Lehmann, 37, hinted this week he is prepared to quit the north London club in a bid to secure regular football and keep his place in the team before Euro 2008. "I will have a conversation with Jens in the coming days to see what the situation is like at Arsenal," said Loew. "We had agreed that we would talk about it in more detail at Christmas. "If he doesn't play at Arsenal, we will talk about the best possibilities for Jens Lehmann. "Of course, I would prefer if he did play, especially with next year's European Championships." Striker Oliver Neuville and midfielder Tim Borowski were back in training on Wednesday after being the only ones to sit out training on Tuesday. Neuville was recovering from playing for his side Borussia Moechengladbach on Monday, while Werder Bremen's Borowski was struggling with flu.