|
|
PREPARING SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE WORLD |
The German footballing legend is a well-known and popular figure around the world. In the course of an illustrious goalkeeping career, the man nicknamed Titan achieved almost all there is to achieve. His honours collection includes medals as a FIFA World Cup runner-up, European champion, German champion, German cup winner and UEFA Champions League winner. Kahn also received a welter of individual honours, including Best Player and Goalkeeper at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, World Goalkeeper of the Year (1999, 2001, 2002) and European Goalkeeper of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002), all testimony to his towering stature within the game. He spoke to FIFA.com about this summer's FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, and issues currently affecting the German team.  Germany have already settled on their goalkeeper. Rene Adler is officially the new No1. Is that the right decision, and was it announced at the right time? Four years ago, the decision to go with Lehmann rather than yourself wasn't taken until just before the tournament... I hope we'll soon be back to the situation where we won't be debating the timing of a decision, because we've finally found a man we can consistently trust, like you had with me, and like you have with [Edwin] van der Sar, [Iker] Casillas or [Petr] Cech, where you have a clearly-defined first-choice keeper. The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ begins in less than two months. How much are you looking forward to the tournament, and what are your expectations? For a footballer, there's nothing bigger than the World Cup. It's where the best national teams and the best players go head-to-head every four years. It's a festival dedicated to football. It's a magnificent experience. Even after you've finished playing, you're still looking forward to it. It's just fascinating to see how the drama unfolds at a World Cup. And there's always a really special atmosphere in the host nation. Would you like one last go at it? Does the thought cause a shiver to run down your spine? Actually, I'm really pleased not to be out on the field any more. I've seen it all, and been through it all. I was at five or six major tournaments. That chapter's closed for me. Who do you rate as favourites for the Trophy, and do Germany have a chance? At the end of the day, the favourites are always the same: Spain, Brazil, Italy, France, and Germany too. However, teams' form in the build-up to a World Cup tells you nothing whatsoever. Every World Cup develops its own, very powerful dynamic, based on who copes best and fastest with the climate, the conditions, and so on. So it's very hard to say what might happen. Are Germany on a par with Brazil, Argentina or Italy? Or are they not quite there yet? We're talking here about EURO (2008) runners-up Germany. I personally believe Germany are up there on a level with the other top teams. The Germans are in a position to beat the Brazilians or the Spanish - and vice-versa, obviously. Nothing's ever ruled out at this level. more interviews... |
