Polish-born Klose ready to fire for Germany in Euro 2008
Monday, 9 June 2008
KLAGENFURT, Austria, June 8 (AFP): Joint favourites Germany begin their Euro 2008 campaign against neighbours Poland Sunday with Polish-born striker Miroslav Klose in the form of his life, says German coach Joachim Loew.
The Germany team arrived here on Saturday afternoon with Loew playing down their tag as joint favourites.
But having returned home winless from both Euro 2000 and 2004, Germany are desperate to break their 12-year drought since winning Euro 1996 and plan to use Klose as their main weapon.
The Bayern Munich striker, who was born in Oppeln, Poland, was top scorer at the 2006 World Cup and after winning Germany's domestic treble last season he wants to translate domestic success to the European stage.
With 39 goals and 75 caps, Klose will turn 30 on Monday with Loew insisting he is in the form of his life.
"Miroslav has left a fantastic impression in training, I have never seen him that fit, that agile and strong," said Loew.
"The way he moves in training, you could see his old dynamic self coming back, running into space and physically speaking he is back to his best."
The Germany team arrived here on Saturday afternoon with Loew playing down their tag as joint favourites.
But having returned home winless from both Euro 2000 and 2004, Germany are desperate to break their 12-year drought since winning Euro 1996 and plan to use Klose as their main weapon.
The Bayern Munich striker, who was born in Oppeln, Poland, was top scorer at the 2006 World Cup and after winning Germany's domestic treble last season he wants to translate domestic success to the European stage.
With 39 goals and 75 caps, Klose will turn 30 on Monday with Loew insisting he is in the form of his life.
"Miroslav has left a fantastic impression in training, I have never seen him that fit, that agile and strong," said Loew.
"The way he moves in training, you could see his old dynamic self coming back, running into space and physically speaking he is back to his best."