Group 5: German Hampden test

By Jim Wirth

If you were to believe reports in certain quarters of the German press, you would think that Rudi Völler's side only had to turn up at Hampden Park on Saturday to get three points from their UEFA EURO 2004™ Group 5 game against Scotland.

Tabloid attack
Despite the nation's leading tabloid, Bild, being particularly dismissive of Scotland's former Germany coach Berti Vogts - "Völler wants to blow away McBerti and his bagpipes," screamed one memorable line - Völler's men are under no illusions.

Nervous moments
Germany and Scotland remain favourites to top Group 5, but with both sides having dropped points against Lithuania in their previous qualifiers, Völler and Vogts could each do with a win to boost their respective campaigns.

Friendly win
A 4-1 victory in a friendly game against Canada on Sunday has given Germany confidence, and with young players like 21-year-old full back Tobias Rau getting valuable experience, Völler is keeping an eye on the future as well as concentrating on the task in hand.

New generation
The new FC Bayern München signing is one of a number of young players breaking into the German side, along with Arne Friedrich, Andreas Hinkel, Kevin Kuranyi and Paul Freier. "All of us work very hard and try to behave professionally," said Rau. "We perform on the pitch and keep a low profile off it."

'Still young'
Rau is in with a chance of starting at Hampden. "I don't think I am the No1 in my position yet," he told uefa.com. "I am still young and it's normal that I am not as consistent as the more experienced players. I have to focus on my job and give my best and then I will see whom Rudi Völler picks."

First goal
The defender opened his goalscoring account for Germany on Sunday, which could be a useful bonus for Völler, whose side have struggled to overwhelm the likes of Lithuania and the Faroe Islands. "My first attempt on goal went into the stands, the second one was closer, then I hit the keeper before the fourth one finally went into the net," said Rau.

'We will be up for it'
Scotland, meanwhile, are keen to point out that, talented German youngsters notwithstanding, they are ready to give Germany a battle in a match which could see them take top spot in the group. "There is no way they are coming over here for an easy ride," said striker Kenny Miller. "We will be up for it." Vogts's team are currently level on seven points with Germany and Lithuania, who have played a game more than Scotland and two more than the Germans.

Nordic battle
The Faroe Islands should also be "up for it" as they travel to neighbours Iceland. The Faroese earned a point at home against Scotland with a 2-2 draw in their opening match, and only lost 2-1 against Germany in Hannover.

Icelandic fears
Their spirits will have been further lifted by the words of Iceland's new coach Asgeir Sigurvinsson, who will make his debut on Saturday. "We are falling down the international rankings and it will be a disaster for Icelandic football if we do not beat the Faroe Islands," he said.

'All nine points'
Iceland are aiming to claw their way back up the table and Sigurvinsson has set them a task of seven points from their next three games - the Faroes match followed by away games against Lithuania and the Faroes again. "We are going for all nine points," he said.

Additional reporting by Thomas Zeh and Stefán Stefánsson