Germany warmed up for Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia with a 2-0 friendly win over Georgia in Rostock on Saturday. A long-range shot from Bastian Schweinsteiger on 24 minutes and a 67th minute goal from captain Michael Ballack secured victory for Germany who now travel to Bratislava with confidence.
"We played with passion and lots of effort but the team had a
lot of changes tonight and we made mistakes," said Germany coach
Joachim Löw. "But the win is important and we now go into the Slovakia match full of confidence."
Bayern Munich marksman Lukas Podolski was sent off on 48 minutes but will not be suspended for the Slovakia game as this match was a friendly.
Löw rested key players such as World Cup golden boot hero
Mirsolav Klose, Philipp Lahm, Bernd Schneider and Torsten Frings
with the trip to Bratislava in mind. Werder Bremen defender Clemens Fritz and SV Hamburg midfielder Piotr Trochowski both made their debuts in the starting line-up as Low tested out some fresh faces.
Germany have started their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a
perfect two wins - a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland and a 13-0 annihilation of San Marino - but should beware of Slovakia who thrashed Wales 5-1 on Saturday.
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[bild1]Germany warmed up for Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Slovakia with a 2-0 friendly win over Georgia in Rostock on Saturday. A long-range shot from Bastian Schweinsteiger on 24 minutes and a 67th minute goal from captain Michael Ballack secured victory for Germany who now travel to Bratislava with confidence.
"We played with passion and lots of effort but the team had a
lot of changes tonight and we made mistakes," said Germany coach
Joachim Löw. "But the win is important and we now go into the Slovakia match full of confidence."
Bayern Munich marksman Lukas Podolski was sent off on 48 minutes but will not be suspended for the Slovakia game as this match was a friendly.
[bild2]Löw rested key players such as World Cup golden boot hero
Mirsolav Klose, Philipp Lahm, Bernd Schneider and Torsten Frings
with the trip to Bratislava in mind. Werder Bremen defender Clemens Fritz and SV Hamburg midfielder Piotr Trochowski both made their debuts in the starting line-up as Low tested out some fresh faces.
Germany have started their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a
perfect two wins - a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland and a 13-0 annihilation of San Marino - but should beware of Slovakia who thrashed Wales 5-1 on Saturday.
