Thursday Sep 29 2005 11:56
Latvia central defender Igors Stepanovs is looking forward to the challenge of facing Germany, as the Euro 2004 finals minnows seek to make their mark.
Following an impressive performance in their narrow 2-1 defeat by the Czech Republic in their opener, Stepanovs is now excited by the task of facing Germany.
He said: "There is a very big difference between the teams.
"I think the Germans are very physical and play strong football, but the Czechs are a lot more skilful and try to keep the ball.
"The Germans play the long ball much more so we are expecting a totally different match.
"The Germans are strong as a team but not as individuals, even (Kevin) Kuranyi and (Fredi) Bobic are not capable of getting a result on their own.
"The Germans are strong only as a team. We will have a difficult game and we must try and do our best."
Coach Aleksandrs Starkovs admitted: "It is a really big event for our team, we are playing a very strong Germany team.
"We know all about the trophies they have won and their great football history. In Latvia the reputation of the German team is very high indeed."
Meanwhile, Latvia's ambassador to Germany, Martin Virsis, has joked that German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn would be offered honorary citizenship if the Baltic state come out on top.
Virsis told the Bild newspaper: "Actually, we don't have a chance in the match, but if Kahn makes mistakes and we advance, we'll make him an honorary citizen of Latvia."
It had been revealed earlier in the week that Kahn has family ties with Latvia via his grandparents.
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