Lingor expects German improvement

By Kevin Ashby in Preston

The fact Germany have scored more goals than any other team at UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ and conceded fewer, owes as much to the midfield promptings of Renate Lingor as it does their prowess at either end of the pitch.

Confident display
The 29-year-old was at her influential best as Germany won Group B without dropping a point or shipping a goal. Named player of the match for her confident display in the 1-0 defeat of Norway, her midfield dominance then helped Italy crumble to a 4-0 loss before she converted a penalty against France en route to a 3-0 success which ended Les Bleues' stay in England.

'Experience'
She is typically modest when asked if she has been Germany's key player at EURO. "I don't think so," Lingor said. "We are all about the team. Seven players have scored our goals and not just the same person and that team ethic shows why we are so good. Our results were not as easy as they look and we didn't play as well as we can. In the end our experience pulled us through."

'Intelligent footballer'
Lingor first appeared for her country a decade ago and was perhaps Germany's best player as they won this competition in 2001, adding a FIFA Women's World Cup two years later. Tina Theune-Meyer described Lingor today as "one of the most intelligent footballers on the pitch I have ever seen" and the player was keen to emphasise the role the Germany coach has had on her development.

Theune-Meyer advice
"She is a very, very good coach," Lingor said of Theune-Meyer, who will stand down after this tournament. "There were times when she dropped me from the starting lineup because she always said to me that I have an abundance of talent but that's not always enough. She has helped me work on those areas where I was lacking and helped me become a better player."

'Difficult game'
Lingor is a certainty to start tonight's semi-final against Finland and believes Germany will improve on their group showings at Deepdale. "We were better in the second game than in the first, and better in the third than the second. However, I do not think we have played that well and against Finland we should be even better. It will be a difficult game but we know about their style of play and strengths."

Hässler comparison
As a No10 with sublime skills, Lingor is often compared with former German international Thomas Hässler, but in the women's game she is perhaps without peer. Her stature is such that she has her own fan club in Germany and two important members will be in Preston tonight. "My parents are here," Lingor said. "They also came to the World Cup final so maybe they're my lucky charm."