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Germany need WC drive at Euro 2004: Kahn

June 01, 2004 14:17 IST

Germany captain Oliver Kahn is confident his team have learned their lesson from last month's 5-1 thrashing by Romania, but need to reproduce their World Cup spirit at the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

Speaking from Germany's training camp in the Black Forest town of Winden, the goalkeeper said his team were determined to rekindle the drive that made them World Cup runners-up in 2002.

"The thrashing from Romania was maybe a healthy shock," Kahn said.

"Now we know that at half speed nothing works and we don't have the slimmest chance."

"We have to be 100 percent fit and we have to have a team attitude like at the World Cup finals," he added.

Bayern Munich skipper Kahn, who has struggled with personal problems off the field and uncharacteristic blunders on it, said it was easier to focus as Germany captain.

"I really am in the spotlight, so it was very hard to be able to relax in Munich," said Kahn, who made headlines for weeks in Germany after admitting having an affair while his wife was pregnant.

"That's how I notice how much you can suddenly relax at the training camp. I can concentrate completely on the important things."

Asked if there was any truth in speculation he might move abroad to escape criticism and the media spotlight, he replied he would move only for other reasons.

"I can cope with all that if it stays within certain limits," said the 34-year-old, who has been through hard times since helping his country to reach the 2002 World Cup final with a string of superb saves.

"But if I did have the opportunity to move to another top team, it would have to be for the coming season. It would be another new challenge for me."

Germany have been drawn with the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Latvia in a tough Group D at Euro 2004.


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