Ross420
Aug 20 2003, 04:48 PM
http://ballack.sevendeadcats.de/eng/
DIE WELT: “Herr Ballack, since last year’s World Cup the German national team hasn’t won a game against one of the big guns in football. How important would be a win against Italy?
Ballack: “Football is a lot about confidence. That’s why we should beat an opponent like Italy once in a while. That would give the team, particularly the younger players, a tremendous boost.”
DIE WELT: “Next year the European Championships take place in Portugal. The target for DFB president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder are the semi-finals, your team-mate Jens Jeremies is even mentioning the title. Are Germany really one of the top favourites?
Ballack: “Let’s face it: Everybody wants to become European champion. But at the moment that’s maybe not really a realistic target for some teams. I think we are at the moment not one of the favourites. I see teams such as France, Holland, Spain and Italy ahead of us.”
DIE WELT: “Why so modest? After all, Germany are World Cup runner-up’s.
Ballack: “This has nothing to do with modesty. We are in a difficult phase, many young players have to grow into the team first. This is a process, which lasts. And besides, the mentioned opponents have right now the better players – and more importantly a broader range of players.”
DIE WELT: “Which title would be more valuable for you: A triumph in the Champions League with Bayern or the European Championship with the national team?
Ballack: “The Euro title is a bit more important. Because as a footballer there’s nothing bigger and more honourable than to play for the national team. And there’s also the hype surrounding the national squad. Just look what happened at last year’s World Cup in Japan and South Korea.”
DIE WELT: “What are your wishes for the season?
Ballack: “That the referees don’t give up their consistent line in decisions-makings after match-day four. And that the Bundesliga strikes back in Europe. It would be important for Germany to win back third spot in the Uefa ranking, so that in future we will have more teams competing in Europe again.”
From “DIE WELT”, 18 August 2003
DIE WELT: “Herr Ballack, since last year’s World Cup the German national team hasn’t won a game against one of the big guns in football. How important would be a win against Italy?
Ballack: “Football is a lot about confidence. That’s why we should beat an opponent like Italy once in a while. That would give the team, particularly the younger players, a tremendous boost.”
DIE WELT: “Next year the European Championships take place in Portugal. The target for DFB president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder are the semi-finals, your team-mate Jens Jeremies is even mentioning the title. Are Germany really one of the top favourites?
Ballack: “Let’s face it: Everybody wants to become European champion. But at the moment that’s maybe not really a realistic target for some teams. I think we are at the moment not one of the favourites. I see teams such as France, Holland, Spain and Italy ahead of us.”
DIE WELT: “Why so modest? After all, Germany are World Cup runner-up’s.
Ballack: “This has nothing to do with modesty. We are in a difficult phase, many young players have to grow into the team first. This is a process, which lasts. And besides, the mentioned opponents have right now the better players – and more importantly a broader range of players.”
DIE WELT: “Which title would be more valuable for you: A triumph in the Champions League with Bayern or the European Championship with the national team?
Ballack: “The Euro title is a bit more important. Because as a footballer there’s nothing bigger and more honourable than to play for the national team. And there’s also the hype surrounding the national squad. Just look what happened at last year’s World Cup in Japan and South Korea.”
DIE WELT: “What are your wishes for the season?
Ballack: “That the referees don’t give up their consistent line in decisions-makings after match-day four. And that the Bundesliga strikes back in Europe. It would be important for Germany to win back third spot in the Uefa ranking, so that in future we will have more teams competing in Europe again.”
From “DIE WELT”, 18 August 2003