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A18 SPORTS
Saturday 26 May 2018

Germany's 'golden generation' primed for World Cup defense

By CIARAN FAHEY of Boateng. "I think he'll be
Associated Press able to at least take part
BERLIN (AP) — Germany in some team training next
coach Joachim Loew is week." Neuer, too, is be-
brimming with confidence ing given every chance
just over three weeks be- to prove his fitness. Loew
fore what he calls the named four goalkeep-
country's "golden genera- ers in his 27-man prelimi-
tion" begins its World Cup nary squad and is hoping
defense against Mexico. that the 32-year-old Neuer
"I have a very good feeling," won't be the one sent
Loew said at the team's home before FIFA's June 4
training camp in South Ty- deadline for final squads to
rol, Italy. "I don't know what be submitted. "He can tol-
will happen with this golden erate all the strains, even
generation after the tour- the most strenuous strains
nament. It's possible there like jumping," Loew said. "If
will be a break-up. But all he has the feeling he can
the players are on fire for perform at 100 percent he
the World Cup." can be at the World Cup."
Germany is one of the fa- Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter
vorites in Russia despite the Stegen will keep the No. 1
retirements of Philipp Lahm, spot if Neuer doesn't recov-
Bastian Schweinsteiger and er fully. Ter Stegen was to
Miroslav Klose since win- join the rest of the squad on
ning the tournament in Bra- In this June 21, 2016 file photo Germany's Toni Kroos, left, Thomas Mueller, center, and Mats Hum- Friday, along with Bayern's
zil four years ago. mels applaud fans at the end of the Euro 2016 Group C. Hummels, Mueller, Joshua
Players like Toni Kroos, Associated Press Kimmich and Niklas Suele,
Sami Khedira, Mats Hum- as well as Chelsea defend-
mels and Thomas Mueller 1962. tain Manuel Neuer, de- the season with back prob- er Antonio Ruediger.
have grown into leading "I don't have to coax new fender Jerome Boateng lems. "It's clear to everyone that
figures with the side, which craving or new enthusiasm and midfielder Mesut Ozil. Team doctor Hans-Wilhelm the training camp is to get
wrapped up qualification from the players," Loew Neuer hasn't played since Mueller-Wohlfahrt gave the required strength and
with 10 wins from 10 games said in comments report- September with a hairline Ozil the green light to start power for the tournament.
and 43 goals, a record ed by news agency dpa. fracture in his left foot af- training with the team and The fuel has to be there,"
number of goals for a Euro- "The craving and ambition ter being injured in training. he was to decide Friday if said Loew, who also hopes
pean team in qualifying. are still there, even among Boateng is still recovering Boateng should stay in Mu- it boosts team spirit. "Every-
Now they are charged with those who became world from a thigh injury sustained nich for further treatment or one has to know that he is
attempting to make Ger- champions." in the Champions League join the squad. just a puzzle piece for suc-
many the first team to re- Germany's only worries semifinals. Ozil missed Ar- "We don't want to make cess. Nobody can be world
tain the title since Brazil in concern the fitness of cap- senal's last few games of any mistakes," Loew said champion on their own."q

WORLD CUP: Gazza's tears help relaunch English soccer

Hooliganism, falling atten- to set up an encounter to tears after receiving his
dances and ramshackle against long-time rival West second yellow card of the
stadiums had brought Eng- Germany. It's an epochal tournament for a reckless
lish soccer to new lows. match in English soccer tackle on Thomas Berthold.
Arguably, it was the team's history that confirmed that That caution would mean
performance at the World the game's popularity did that he would miss the
Cup in Italy — and the tears not just reside among the World Cup final if England
of a 23-year-old midfielder ranks of the working class. was to go through. Real-
from Newcastle in particu- It even spawned a popular izing the consequences,
lar — that reignited the stage play called "An Eve- Gascoigne's lip wobbled
country's love affair with ning with Gary Lineker." and the tears started to
the game. England outplayed the flow.
Paul Gascoigne, wide- West Germans for large Though England lost the
ly known as Gazza, had stretches of the match, but ensuing penalty shootout,
made a late run into Eng- unluckily fell behind when the watching public back
land's starting line-up for the Andreas Brehme's free kick home felt for Gascoigne.
World Cup but he ended deflected off defender Those with a more com-
The July 4, 1990 file photo shows England's Paul Gascoigne cry-
ing as he is escorted off the field by team captain Terry Butcher, up playing a central role in Paul Parker and looped mercial bent took note at
after England lost a penalty shoot-out in the World Cup semifinal the team's advancement over goalkeeper Peter Shil- the scale of interest in that
soccer match against West Germany in Turin, Italy. to the semifinals. Following ton. England eventually match. Soon English soccer
Associated Press lackluster performances in equalized with 10 minutes would be awash with cash,
the group stage, England to go when Lineker took money that was spent on
By PAN PYLAS hadn't done much at the beat Belgium in the round advantage of some lax modernizing the stadiums
Associated Press World Cup. And by 1990, of 16 and then saw off the German defending. and buying some of the
Barring its sole triumph at the national game was in thrilling challenge of Cam- It was during extra time that best players from around
home in 1966, England deep trouble. eroon in the quarterfinals Gascoigne was reduced the world.q