Germans wax spherical on Euro ball

AFP - 7 June 2008 13:11

German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann tries to catch a ball during a team training session in Tenero, June 5. Former German international goalkeeper Andreas Kopke has said that shot-stoppers must not make excuses about the new ball being used at Euro 2008, which current German guardian Lehmann has criticised.

TENERO, Switzerland (AFP) - Former German international goalkeeper Andreas Kopke said Saturday that shot-stoppers must not make excuses about the new ball being used at Euro 2008, which current German guardian Jens Lehmann has criticised.

"This ball is super fast. It floats in the air and Jens Lehmann is not the only one to have said so," Kopke said at a press conference in the German base of Tenero.

"I don't think any keeper is 100 percent satisfied with this ball, even if they don't say so publicly," said Kopke, European champion in 1996.

Lehmann and Czech counterpart Petr Cech have said the ball's trajectory is difficult to judge when it comes to dealing with long-range efforts.

But Kopke said they have had three weeks "to get used to it."

And he added: "There is no point moaning about it - I don't think they will concede goals which are down to the ball."

Midfielder Torsten Frings, who possesses a meaty shot, was, in contrast to Lehmann, looking forward to getting to grips with this year's sphere.

"If this ball is difficult for keepers it's superb for us. I think we're going to see a few goals from distance at this Euro, as when you hit it well it really flies," said Frings.