Thursday November 12, 2009
Germany get extra motivation to reach World Cup
BERLIN: Captain Michael Ballack believes there is a strong chance Germany will reach the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as the national team’s new shirt was unveiled on Tuesday.
Three stars above the German Football Federation’s (DFB) logo signifies Germany have won the World Cup in 1954, 1974 and 1990, but Ballack says the new shirt is extra motivation for his side to reach the final on July 11.
Ready to wear: (from left) Germany's Michael Ballack, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger posing with the new national jersey for the 2010 World Cup yesterday. - Reuters The new shirt is a return to the traditional style with the colours black, red and gold, of the German flag, in thin stripes running down the predominantly white shirt.
“The new shirt gives us extra motivation,” said Chelsea star Ballack who missed out on playing in Germany’s 2002 World Cup final defeat to Brazil through suspension.
“There is a good chance we will reach the final again.”
With Germany playing friendlies against Chile in Cologne on Saturday and the Ivory Coast in Gelsenkirchen on Nov 18, the entire squad were at Adidas’ headquarters in Herzogenaurach, near Nuremberg, for the shirt launch.
“That is a fine shirt that heightens anticipation for the World Cup, I am pleased it is a more traditional-style shirt,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew.
With 212 days before the World Cup starts, Franz Beckenbauer, who captained Germany to the 1974 title and then coached the team to 1990 success in Italy, said the shirt will count for nothing if the Germans come home early.
“You must win the games, otherwise the best looking shirt is of no use to you,” said Bayern Munich president Beckenbauer.
“The players earn much more today than they used to in the past.
“But it is still an honour to play for the national team, it is the biggest honour which a player can achieve. And there is still room for a fourth star in the shirt.” — AFP
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