Stuttgart duo called up by Germany

VfB Stuttgart youngsters Serdar Tasci and Sami Khedira have earned first call-ups by Germany for next Wednesday's game against England at Wembley Stadium.

Talented twosome
The 20-year-olds are the only newcomers in Joachim Löw's squad for the glamour friendly. Defender Tasci has played 27 Bundesliga games for the Bundesliga champions, scoring twice, while midfielder Khedira has struck five goals in 23 league outings.

'Wimbledon of football'
As well as Stuttgart colleague Mario Gomez, the absentee list includes captain Michael Ballack of Chelsea FC, Werder Bremen midfielders Torsten Frings and Tim Borowski, and FC Bayern München forward Lukas Podolski. Löw is looking forward to a final friendly before UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying resumes. "The duel between England and Germany is a sporting classic like Wimbledon is for tennis or Monaco in Formula1," he said.

Germany squad
Goalkeepers: Timo Hildebrand (Valencia CF), Jens Lehmann (Arsenal FC).

Defenders: Arne Friedrich (Hertha BSC Berlin), Clemens Fritz (Werder Bremen), Marcell Jansen (FC Bayern München), Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München), Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen), Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid CF), Serdar Tasci (VfB Stuttgart).

Midfielders: Roberto Hilbert (VfB Stuttgart), Sami Khedira (VfB Stuttgart), Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart), Simon Rolfes (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Bernd Schneider (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Bastian Schweinsteiger (FC Bayern München), Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV).

Forwards: Patrick Helmes (1. FC Köln), Stefan Kiessling (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Miroslav Klose (FC Bayern München), Kevin Kuranyi (FC Schalke 04).