Ross420
Aug 21 2003, 12:47 PM
(The Guardian)
Franz Beckenbauer has dismissed Germany's chances of winning the European Championship in Portugal next summer.
"The European title is rather unrealistic," said Germany's 1990 World Cup- winning coach, yesterday. "We will certainly play a decent part . . . but there are better teams."
Beckenbauer predicted that France, Italy, England and Portugal were more likely winners. His views echoed those of the Germany playmaker Michael Ballack, who said other nations have more strength in depth.
Their pessimism was supported later by Germany's 1-0 defeat in Stuttgart by Italy , whose night was made complete by Wales's setback in Belgrade, which means Giovanni Trapattoni's resurgent side will go top of their qualifying group if they beat the Welsh at the San Siro on September 6.
A goal fashioned by Italy's golden forward trio after 17 minutes proved enough against their injury-weakened hosts. Clever passing between Alessandro del Piero and Francesco Totti overstretched the German defence and Christian Vieri drove home from just inside the area.
Germany were revitalised after several substitutions but Gianluigi Buffon was in daunting form in goal and Rudi Völler's team just could not find the equaliser.
Franz Beckenbauer has dismissed Germany's chances of winning the European Championship in Portugal next summer.
"The European title is rather unrealistic," said Germany's 1990 World Cup- winning coach, yesterday. "We will certainly play a decent part . . . but there are better teams."
Beckenbauer predicted that France, Italy, England and Portugal were more likely winners. His views echoed those of the Germany playmaker Michael Ballack, who said other nations have more strength in depth.
Their pessimism was supported later by Germany's 1-0 defeat in Stuttgart by Italy , whose night was made complete by Wales's setback in Belgrade, which means Giovanni Trapattoni's resurgent side will go top of their qualifying group if they beat the Welsh at the San Siro on September 6.
A goal fashioned by Italy's golden forward trio after 17 minutes proved enough against their injury-weakened hosts. Clever passing between Alessandro del Piero and Francesco Totti overstretched the German defence and Christian Vieri drove home from just inside the area.
Germany were revitalised after several substitutions but Gianluigi Buffon was in daunting form in goal and Rudi Völler's team just could not find the equaliser.