ACBerb
Jun 23 2005, 07:37 PM
The last time Germany played Brazil, Per Mertesacker was watching the game on television, although he can't quite recall where.
Nine months later, the 20-year-old lanky defender will be facing the likes of Ronaldinho, Adriano and Robinho in person.
"To think that I'd be playing against Brazil less than a year later, that's incredible," Mertesacker said Thursday, two days before Germany faces Brazil in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.
Mertesacker is one of the fresh faces coach Juergen Klinsmann has brought into the national team.
The central defender made his international debut one month after Germany and Brazil played to a 1-1 draw in Berlin in September.
Now, he has 10 games and one goal behind him and has become the anchor of Klinsmann's defense.
So, how about facing the talented and tricky Brazilian forwards?
"I have a lot of respect for them, but I don't fear them," Mertesacker said.
"I do feel somewhat nervous, however, but I think that's normal before a game. I think it's also good, because it helps you concentrate. But once the game starts, you shouldn't be nervous."
Any special way of preparing to play Brazil?
"I'll try to eat and sleep well," he said.
Mertesacker is tall, 1.96 meters (6-feet-5), and his height was once thought to be a handicap for a successful career.
"I grew up too fast and I had to stop playing for a year. My coach thought I was too tall and static," said Mertesacker, who has made great strides since those early teenage years.
After playing for Hannover 96's third-division team, Mertesacker made his Bundesliga debut in the fall of 2003.
Despite his size, he is no bully and completed the past Bundesliga season with only one yellow card.
"Maybe I was raised to be a fair sportsman," he said.
Klinsmann has been impressed by Mertesacker's rapid development.
"For his age, he is incredibly advanced. Also, he is a calm and sensible guy. His feet stay firmly on the ground," Klinsmann said.
Mertesacker said his post-school experience has helped him remain modest. He chose civilian service over military duty and worked in an asylum for mentally ill.
With another 20-year-old, Robert Huth, Mertesacker has built Germany's defense at the tournament. The defense came under fire after conceding three goals in a 4-3 win over Australia.
"It was not easy to deal with criticism but the coach gave us a lot of support," he said.
Mertesacker and his teammates will be tested by Brazil's class and Germany already has a bad record against the five-time World Cup champion.
Germany last beat Brazil in 1993 and has only three wins and five draws against 11 defeats.
The last competitive match was in the final of the 2002 World Cup, when Brazil won 2-0. Although Germany has three World Cup titles of its own, that was also the only time the two nations met at a World Cup.
At the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico, Brazil thrashed an under-strength German team 4-0.
Nine months later, the 20-year-old lanky defender will be facing the likes of Ronaldinho, Adriano and Robinho in person.
"To think that I'd be playing against Brazil less than a year later, that's incredible," Mertesacker said Thursday, two days before Germany faces Brazil in the semifinals of the Confederations Cup.
Mertesacker is one of the fresh faces coach Juergen Klinsmann has brought into the national team.
The central defender made his international debut one month after Germany and Brazil played to a 1-1 draw in Berlin in September.
Now, he has 10 games and one goal behind him and has become the anchor of Klinsmann's defense.
So, how about facing the talented and tricky Brazilian forwards?
"I have a lot of respect for them, but I don't fear them," Mertesacker said.
"I do feel somewhat nervous, however, but I think that's normal before a game. I think it's also good, because it helps you concentrate. But once the game starts, you shouldn't be nervous."
Any special way of preparing to play Brazil?
"I'll try to eat and sleep well," he said.
Mertesacker is tall, 1.96 meters (6-feet-5), and his height was once thought to be a handicap for a successful career.
"I grew up too fast and I had to stop playing for a year. My coach thought I was too tall and static," said Mertesacker, who has made great strides since those early teenage years.
After playing for Hannover 96's third-division team, Mertesacker made his Bundesliga debut in the fall of 2003.
Despite his size, he is no bully and completed the past Bundesliga season with only one yellow card.
"Maybe I was raised to be a fair sportsman," he said.
Klinsmann has been impressed by Mertesacker's rapid development.
"For his age, he is incredibly advanced. Also, he is a calm and sensible guy. His feet stay firmly on the ground," Klinsmann said.
Mertesacker said his post-school experience has helped him remain modest. He chose civilian service over military duty and worked in an asylum for mentally ill.
With another 20-year-old, Robert Huth, Mertesacker has built Germany's defense at the tournament. The defense came under fire after conceding three goals in a 4-3 win over Australia.
"It was not easy to deal with criticism but the coach gave us a lot of support," he said.
Mertesacker and his teammates will be tested by Brazil's class and Germany already has a bad record against the five-time World Cup champion.
Germany last beat Brazil in 1993 and has only three wins and five draws against 11 defeats.
The last competitive match was in the final of the 2002 World Cup, when Brazil won 2-0. Although Germany has three World Cup titles of its own, that was also the only time the two nations met at a World Cup.
At the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico, Brazil thrashed an under-strength German team 4-0.