world cup 2006 news and interviews

Eriksson to unleash Cup starters
Sven-Goran Eriksson will unveil the team he expects to play in England's World Cup opener against Paraguay in his side's final two warm-up games. Before playing Paraguay on 10 June, England take on Hungary on Tuesday and Jamaica on Saturday 3 June. England coach Eriksson said: "If nothing special happens, I will start with my best team in both games, the team I think will start the World Cup. "If someone is tired or has a small injury, we wouldn't risk that player." Eriksson's probable team: Robinson, G Neville, Ferdinand, Terry, A Cole, Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, J Cole, Owen, Crouch Meanwhile, Eriksson has praised Theo Walcott for the positive way the Arsenal striker has adjusted to life in the England camp. "There has been a lot of discussion about him and he has handled himself well," said Eriksson. "He did two or three things extremely well against Belarus and showed the pace he has is incredible. "Two players were playing rugby against him to stop him. "I have tried to give him the message he has nothing to lose and the only person who has something to lose is me. "He is very calm, a little shy maybe, but I understand from Arsene Wenger he is like that at Arsenal. "I am not worried about him. He fits in very well and he is not in awe."

Owen could miss Hungary friendly
England striker Michael Owen could be left out of the side for Tuesday's World Cup warm-up against Hungary. Owen, 26, was set to play as a lone striker at Old Trafford but may not be risked after an injury scare on Monday. The Newcastle forward underwent a scan on a tight thigh muscle after Monday's training, which revealed no damage. If Owen is not risked Peter Crouch will start up front, with Steven Gerrard playing in advanced role and Jamie Carragher as a holding midfielder. Owen made his return to action for England B against Belarus on Thursday and played for an hour. He was expected to play the full 90 minutes in Tuesday's friendly with Hungary to help build his match fitness but that plan could now be wiped out by the injury scare. Eriksson was believed to be keen to move away from his usual 4-4-2 system and try Owen up front on his own, with a five-man midfield. But with the Newcastle forward a doubt it remains to be seen whether Crouch will be used in a similar role. With Wayne Rooney sidelined Eriksson appears keen to give Gerrard and Frank Lampard the freedom to get forward from midfield and maximise their goal threat. The Swede had said he would select his best available team, which will also be the likely line-up for their opening World Cup group game against Paraguay on 10 June. Eriksson said: "It's a good opportunity for them to play 90 minutes and it will be what I think is the strongest team. "We have decided exactly what to do but I'm not going to tell you until Tuesday." LIKELY LINE-UP Robinson, G Neville, A Cole, Terry, Ferdinand, Carragher or Carrick, Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham, J Cole, Owen or Crouch Asked whether it was a good chance for Crouch and Owen to work on their partnership, he stated: "There's a lot of work to do, of course. I'm not talking about those two but in general. "We have the game against Hungary and the game on Saturday against Jamaica. The two matches are very important to us." Lampard's Chelsea team-mate John Terry is set to play his first game in more than a month after missing the end of the domestic season with an ankle injury. Michael Carrick was expected to be first choice for the holding role - if Eriksson opted to play five in midfield. But Carragher, who started at centre-half for England B on Thursday but ended the game in midfield, is widely reported to have jumped ahead of Carrick in the pecking order. Hungary include two British-based players, West Brom's Zoltan Gera and Crystal Palace keeper Gabor Kiraly, in their squad. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- England (from): Paul Robinson, David James, Scott Carson; Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher, Wayne Bridge, David Beckham, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves, Jermaine Jenas, Stewart Downing, Aaron Lennon, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch, Theo Walcott. Hungary (from): Gabor Kiraly, Zoltan Vegh, Vilmos Sebok, Vilmos Vanczak, Zoltan Peto, Csaba Feher, Laszlo Eger, Adam Komlosi, Zsolt Low, Pal Dardai, Balazs Molnar, Krisztian Vadocz, Balazs Toth, Peter Halmosi, Attila Polonkai, Zoltan Gera, Szabolcs Huszti, Imre Szabics, Sandor Torghelle, Peter Rajczi.

Rooney set to travel with England
Wayne Rooney will fly to Germany with the rest of England's squad on Monday, despite the date for a scan on his injured foot being brought forward. England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson wants to analyse Rooney's fitness ahead of the scan in Manchester on 7 June. A Football Association statement read: "Wayne will be accompanied by England doctor Leif Sward who will then analyse the scan with Manchester United." Eriksson has until 9 June to decide whether to name Rooney in his squad. His decision may be complicated by fitness doubts surrounding his other key striker, Michael Owen, who recently returned to action after breaking a bone in his foot and who needed a precautionary scan on a tight thigh muscle on Monday. England play Hungary in a friendly at Old Trafford on Tuesday in their penultimate warm-up game before the World Cup finals.

Zambrotta ruled out of Cup opener
Italy midfielder Gianluca Zambrotta has been ruled out of his side's World Cup opener against Ghana on 12 June after suffering a thigh injury. The 29-year-old sustained the injury in training on Sunday and now faces a minimum of two weeks on the sidelines. "If everything goes well, he will come back in 15 to 20 days," said Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci. "In a week's time, he will have another test done on him but we are both calm and optimistic." Zambrotta could, however, recover in time for the second game against the USA on 17 June. There was further disappointment for Italy coach Marcello Lippi on Tuesday after Roma midfielder Simone Perrotta picked up a knock on his right knee in training. That means he could miss the two warm-up friendlies against Switzerland and Ukraine, in which Lippi is expected to test the fitness of many of his players. Roma captain Francesco Totti, however, is expected to be rested with AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo favourite to replace him.

England 3-1 Hungary
England's World Cup preparations continued with a 3-1 win over Hungary. Steven Gerrard and John Terry both headed home free-kicks from David Beckham in the space of four minutes early in the second half. Pal Dardai pulled a goal back with a brilliant long-range shot before Peter Crouch's excellent low strike late on. Theo Walcott came on to become England's youngest ever international, while in the first half Gabor Kiraly saved a penalty from Frank Lampard. Sven-Goran Eriksson had promised that the line-up for this match would start against Paraguay in England's opening World Cup match. Gerrard played as the advanced midfielder, supporting Michael Owen, while Jamie Carragher played as a holding midfield role with Beckham, Lampard and Joe Cole across the middle of the park. And England almost scored within a minute of deploying their new formation but Terry could not keep his header on target after connecting with a Beckham corner. The home team dominated possession, pressing and probing, while full-backs Ashley Cole and Gary Neville looked to push forward and provide width as often as possible. But England's midfield took time to adjust to their new shape and the next serious attempt at goal came from Szabolcs Huszti, who shot wide of Paul Robinson's goal from 20 yards after 22 minutes. And the Old Trafford crowd, far from capacity, had little to cheer before the game exploded into life five minutes before the break. Kiraly made a point-blank save, parrying Owen's header after the striker connected with Beckham's cross. Seconds later the keeper dived low to his right to save Lampard's penalty after Csaba Feher was harshly adjudged to have brought down Gerrard. Owen might have scored with the rebound but his header clipped the crossbar. Joe Cole then made a superbly-timed run across the Hungary defence and appeared to have deftly headed England ahead from Beckham's superb cross but the ball hit the post and was cleared by Laszlo Eger. Gerrard, wearing the number nine shirt, put England ahead two minutes after the restart. Walcott became England's youngest full international Beckham had supplied the cross for Gerrard's goal with a free-kick - and it was with another dead-ball delivery from the skipper that Terry headed his first goal for England after 51 minutes. Dardai's curling strike reduced Hungary's deficit - and banished any notion of a second-half rout. Neville had been replaced by Owen Hargreaves at the break, the defender complaining of a tight hamstring, but the more significant introduction was that of Walcott after 65 minutes. At 17 years and 75 days Walcott, who has yet to play for Arsenal in the Premiership, became England's youngest full international. Eger almost equalised with a long-range strike that Robinson superbly saved. But the final goal came from Crouch, whose neat turn and shot from the edge of the box was followed by an 80s robotics-style celebration. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- England: Robinson, Gary Neville (Hargreaves 45), Ferdinand, Terry (Campbell 76), Ashley Cole, Carragher, Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard (Crouch 65), Joe Cole, Owen (Walcott 65). Subs Not Used: Bridge, James, Phil Neville, Dawson, Carrick, Jenas, Lennon, Downing, Carson, Defoe, Johnson, Foster. Booked: Campbell, Beckham. Goals: Gerrard 47, Terry 51, Crouch 84. Hungary: Kiraly, Feher, Komlosi (Vanczak 9), Halmosi, Eger, Molnar (Vadocz 83), Huszti, Dardai, Gera, Toth (Torghelle 61), Szabics (Polonkai 73). Subs Not Used: Vegh, Low, Rajczi. Booked: Feher. Goals: Dardai 55. Att: 56,323 Ref: Pieter Vink (Holland).

Eriksson optimistic after victory
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said there was more to come from his team after they beat Hungary 3-1 in their World Cup warm-up on Tuesday. "Hungary were even better than I thought, a good side and technically very good," Eriksson told Sir Stanley. "You must have patience against a team defending with nine men behind the ball. We had that and started the second half very well with two goals. "I'm happy and I'm sure we'll be playing even better at the World Cup." Captain David Beckham said his England team-mates did well to overcome a stubborn Hungary side. "I felt good, that's my job to set goals up and I was lucky to have a few chances. We finished them off well," said the Real Madrid star. "We needed to get this game under our belts because after 20 minutes it was more difficult than we thought. "They stayed back off us and gave us more time on the ball at the back but in the last minutes of the first half we started to break them down well. "We knew if we pushed them hard in the second half we would break them down. "The manager and Steve McClaren said at half-time we need to press them higher - if we push them higher we can break them down." Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard said he enjoyed playing an attacking role in midfield, scoring the opening goal two minutes into the second half. "There was a lot of pressure on me trying to play where Wayne Rooney plays," he told Sir Stanley. "The formation suits us, Frank Lampard is superb breaking from midfield and the boss told us we can interchange." He added: "The most important thing was we won and we won convincingly. We could have been two or three up at half-time but we took our chances in the second half."

Neville misses training session
England defender Gary Neville missed Thursday's training session because of a hamstring injury. Neville came off at half time during Tuesday's match against Hungary at Old Trafford and was replaced at right back by midfielder Jamie Carragher. But An FA spokesman said: "It's not a major problem. It's just a precaution after the game on Tuesday." Jamaica striker Marlon King will play no part after being sent home from the squad for a breach of discipline. Neville, 31, was the only absentee from the England squad at Manchester United's Carrington training ground. Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has no straight replacement at right-back, meaning that Carragher or Owen Hargreaves would have to fill in should Neville miss out. England will hold a news conference at 1445 BST where Eriksson is expected to name his team for Saturday's match.

Beckham defended by England stars
England's World Cup stars have jumped to the defence of captain David Beckham after he answered critics with the winning goal against Ecuador. Ex-internationals Sir Geoff Hurst and Terry Butcher led calls for Beckham to be axed, but his free-kick sealed a quarter-final tie against Portugal. Goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: \"Becks is different class. World class. \"We need him. He is so important. Becks has shown again that he scores and makes vital goals for England.\" Robinson added: \"His free-kick got us the win against Paraguay. He set up Peter Crouch's goal that put us on our way against Trinidad and Tobago and he scored the winner against Ecuador. \"That's a major personal input whichever way you want to look at it.\" Frank Lampard also backed Beckham in the face of his doubters. \"I think he's taken some very hard criticism,\" said the Chelsea midfielder. \"People should get behind the captain and the team and I think the majority of people are doing that. \"There is some harsh criticism and there is no need for it, but you see the fans out here and they are right behind us.\" Steven Gerrard believes the flak Beckham received helped put England through to the last eight. He said: \"I think the criticism he got before the game helped us because he went out with a point to prove and he has helped get us into the last eight. \"All the boys are happy with the job he's doing for the team. The goal was a David Beckham trademark free-kick and a few more of those would be nice.\" Owen Hargreaves was another England player who acknowledged Beckham's crucial contribution to the win against Ecuador. He said: \"Any time you win 1-0 the goalscorer is obviously the hero and it was Becks against Ecuador. \"His set-pieces are his strengths. He put one in and it was a great free-kick and it's won us the game. \"After that we played a bit better, created more chances and could have won 2-0. \"Becks is crucial because when you look at all the games, like Mexico against Argentina, a lot of the goals are from set-pieces. \"He is the best set-piece taker in the world and to have him in your team is a strength. It's a benefit.\"

England confused or in control?
Steve McClaren has kept a low media profile during the World Cup - a deliberate ploy to ensure England's coach-in-waiting does not take attention away from Sven-Goran Eriksson's final games. So it was a sign of the frustration within England's camp that McClaren was finally paraded in an attempt to scotch claims of tactical confusion and discontent inside the squad at their Baden-Baden base camp. Whispers of various formations being tried and dumped and of players being in then out of the side have been rife throughout this stuttering England World Cup campaign. All have been fiercely and publicly denied by England coach Eriksson and his players. Eriksson was asked point-blank 24 hours before England's World Cup win against Ecuador in Stuttgart how many formations he had tried in training before settling on Michael Carrick's return and Wayne Rooney's lone role up front. It was a question that was clearly heavily loaded and justifiably prompted by talk that England's preparations were, to say the least, flexible. The answer: \"One. One.\" Eriksson's own actions have not helped clear up images of a muddled game plan, with Jamie Carragher suddenly appearing in a holding role in warm-up games, then Owen Hargreaves having a stab against Sweden. Hargreaves did so well in the role he was instantly rewarded with a switch to right-back in place of Carragher against Ecuador. For now, England are in the World Cup quarter-finals so results can be used as a shield to deflect questions about confusion And then enter Carrick. Seemingly forgotten - suddenly recalled. Confused? The end result, for the first half at least against Ecuador, was a succession of aimless long passes punted towards an increasingly frustrated Rooney and almost nullifying Carrick's presence. There are already whispers about various midfield combinations for Saturday's quarter-final against Portugal, but we have learned not to second-guess the newly-experimental Eriksson. It was not without evidence that many of us following England have scratched our heads and wondered how exactly these decisions are being reached? And who is reaching them? Eriksson has always been a coach who likes to talk over options with his senior players - he has admitted as much in the past. Part of the problem, the catalyst for speculation, has been Eriksson himself. In spite of the complete confidence he has shown in the team, there is an underlying feeling he is lacking a sense of direction in Germany, a sense of certainty about the best way to win this World Cup. The Swede's resolve and sure touch in his dealings with Manchester United over Rooney's injury has not always extended to his tactics out here. Eriksson and McClaren make an intriguing double act. in the brief glimpses of training in front of the media, McClaren does all the talking, organising and overseeing warm-ups. Eriksson appears to have a watching brief, making the odd observation. Sammy Lee takes the players through their paces before serious training begins and has been seen refereeing practice matches - while Ray Clemence works England's three goalkeepers. Eriksson's long-time right-hand man Tord Grip has what appears to be an unspecified role as his fellow Swede's side-kick. In matches McClaren is the man in the technical area, pen and paper in hand, scribbling away and occasionally exhorting the troops. Presumably he is passing on Eriksson's orders with permission to dish out a few of his own. Eriksson, as always, sits motionless in the dug-out. Indeed one of his most animated moments in a shocking first 45 minutes against Ecuador was to step forward neatly and return the ball for a throw-in. Again, his contribution seems minimal. In training, McClaren is apparently the man behind defensive organisation, hardly a heart-warming thought for the future under his leadership given the shambles at set-pieces against Sweden - although there was a clear improvement against Ecuador. McClaren revealed Eriksson told him the team he wanted to face Ecuador on Wednesday, and the England camp has now gone on the offensive as questions mount about how the show is being run. Eriksson is the front man, and McClaren was in combative mood when asked about suggestions the players were baffled by the system they were asked to play against Ecuador. He said: \"That is total rubbish. Attention to detail is the key to winning football matches and that's what we worked on. We were very happy with the preparation and everything we worked on.\" Joe Cole also insists the players are happy with their orders against Ecuador: \"It's good. It shows we have different options. It shows we have got players who can come and improve things - it's looking good.\" Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole added their approval, although comments from players about Eriksson are hardly likely to be prefaced with \"the coach is a buffoon\", with places in a World Cup quarter-final at stake. Eriksson is the man making the final decisions and the man who will either take the blame or the glory. For now, England are in the World Cup quarter-finals so results can be used as a shield to deflect questions about confusion. But defeat against Portugal and the inquests will start, for both Eriksson and McClaren.

Brazil 3-0 Ghana
Ronaldo became the highest scorer in World Cup finals history as Brazil beat Ghana to book a quarter-final place against Spain or France. The 29-year-old took just five minutes to go past Gerd Muller's tally of 14, latching on to Kaka's through ball and rounding Richard Kingson to slot home. Adriano tapped in Cafu's cross and Ze Roberto ran through to wrap it up while Ghana's Asamoah Gyan was sent off. John Mensah had the Africans' best chance, but Dida saved his header. Brazil will now meet Spain or France in the last eight on Saturday in Frankfurt at 2000 BST. The scoreline was perhaps a touch harsh on Ghana, who recovered from a horror start to match their more illustrious opponents. It was a start made more remarkable by the African side's defensive naivety than Brazil's attacking prowess, as twice in five minutes they got caught out at the back. The first time they were saved by a flag incorrectly ruling Ronaldo offside, the second time they pushed up and allowed Kaka to feed in Ronaldo, who shimmied past Kingson and slotted in. After all the criticism, it was yet another record-breaking goal for the peerless Real Madrid man. Still Ghana failed to learn. Ze Roberto found Adriano in acres of space only for the striker to fluff his lines, trying to round Kingson but falling to the floor and being booked for a dive. Brazil began strolling - if they needed a reminder they were in a game Matthew Amoah's 20-yard drive that flew just wide should have done the trick. But it did not seem to, as Amoah shot straight at Dida and then Gyan turned Lucio superbly before rifling over on the stretch from 12 yards. Two minutes before half-time, they had a golden chance to level. Mensah rose unchallenged from a corner, but to Ghana's dismay his bullet header struck Dida's leg and bounced away from danger. Just before the break they were punished when Brazil launched a quick counter-attack and Cafu crossed for a seemingly offside Adriano to bundle home. It was hard on Ghana after a spirited response to their early errors and to their credit they continued to plough forward after the break. John Pantsil flashed a header wide from another set-piece and Gyan and Haminu Draman both wildly lashed over from good positions. As Brazil sat back Stephen Appiah fed in Gyan, but the hero of the win over Czech Republic was foiled again by an impressive diving stop from Dida. Until Gyan was sent off - his second yellow card was for diving - Brazil did not look like adding to their tally, a Pantsil header at his own goal a rare venture into the Ghana penalty area. But with 11 against 10 they stepped up the pace and Ghana's misery was compounded when substitute Ricardinho floated a ball over the top and Ze Roberto flicked it past Kingson, ran round him and rolled into an empty net. The defending champions are slowly but surely clicking into gear at this World Cup finals. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brazil: Dida, Cafu, Lucio, Juan, Carlos, Emerson (Silva 45), Ze Roberto, Kaka (Ricardinho 83), Ronaldinho, Adriano (Juninho 61), Ronaldo. Subs Not Used: Cicinho, Cris, Fred, Gilberto, Julio Cesar, Luisao, Mineiro, Rogerio, Robinho. Booked: Adriano, Juan. Goals: Ronaldo 5, Adriano 45, Ze Roberto 84. Ghana: Kingson, Pantsil, Shilla, Mensah, Pappoe, Draman, Eric Addo (Boateng 60), Appiah, Muntari, Amoah (Tachie-Mensah 69), Gyan. Subs Not Used: Otto Addo, Adjei, Ahmed, Kuffour, Mohamed, Owu, Pimpong, Quaye, Sarpei. Sent Off: Gyan (81). Booked: Appiah, Muntari, Pantsil, Eric Addo, Gyan. Att: 65,000. Ref: Lubos Michel (Slovakia). Fifa man-of-the-match: Ze Roberto

Dujkovic proud of battling Ghana
Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic was bursting with pride after seeing his side lose 3-0 to Brazil in the second round of the World Cup in Dortmund. Ghana were the only African side to reach the last 16 and gave the defending champions a stern test. \"They faced a great team, the world champions, who are the best in the competition,\" said Dujkovic. \"It is not a shame to lose to Brazil. I said before that Brazil were favoured to be champions, the world champions.\"

Ronaldo plans to carry on scoring
Brazil striker Ronaldo said he was planning to shoot Brazil to World Cup glory after breaking Gerd Muller's tournament goalscoring record. Ronaldo took his tally to 15 with his goal against Ghana in a 3-0 win that put Brazil in the last eight. He said: \"I'm very happy with the result and with breaking the record. \"The record had stood for seven World Cups so I am naturally very pleased to beat it. I'll now just have to keep on scoring to fire us to another title.\" Ronaldo, who has been criticised for being overweight and sluggish, now has three goals for this tournament, one behind Germany's Miroslav Klose in the race for the Golden Shoe. \" I'm out to show what I can still do and I'm sure there's going to be a big party in Brazil for our supporters,\" the Real Madrid striker said. \"It's tough to play against such teams as Ghana - we really had to sweat for it. We made a big effort - every Brazilian player gave his all and we will have to do the same in the next game. \"We win as a team. I get goals and on we go. Now I want more and more and more!\" Ronaldo added: \"It's a great satisfaction to make this record, but let's not forget our main objective is to reach the final. The players are very confident and our team is meeting our goals. \"I sensed I had to trick the goalie somehow. I figured it would complicate things if I kept the ball too long so I decided to do that dribble around the Ghana goalkeeper. \"I hope they continue falling for my tricks up to the final.\"

Confident Klinsmann predicts win
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann says his team will continue to play attacking football when they take on Italy in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final. Klinsmann said: \"Italy deserve a lot of respect - they have a long and proud footballing history. \"They are one of the best teams in the world, and that's why they are in the final four - but we will go for it. \"We must think about our own game - and if we play our own game in our own style, we will be able to beat them.\" Klinsmann added: \"I feel proud of our team, and how they have done in this tournament. \"But we also know that we still have the two biggest hurdles in front of us.\" Klinsmann also believes that his side's remarkable record at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion will aid them. The World Cup hosts boast a record in the stadium of 13 wins and a draw from 14 matches, with a positive goal difference of 59-7. Klinsmann said: \"It's good to know we'll be playing there. \"There is nothing like the atmosphere in Dortmund. It is like a volcano which will hopefully erupt.\" Despite never having beaten Italy in a World Cup match, Klinsmann is hoping the Ruhr Valley crowd can once again prove crucial in his side's World Cup bid. The hosts' support has been extraordinary as Germany have deservedly sealed their place in the semi-finals, as Klinsmann has emerged from a wealth of criticism to prove himself the inspiration behind his side's run. The low point of Klinsmann's reign came against Italy in May, when the Azzurri ran out comfortable 4-1 winners, but assistant coach Joachim Low insists that will not provide any incentive for Germany. \"Not for a single second we have thought about it,\" he said. That view is echoed by defender Christoph Metzelder, who said: \"We know there is a different kind of team on the pitch these days. \"The Italians are aware of that, too, and I think they have a lot of respect for us. \"Our motivation must not be to avenge a loss in March but to reach the final. But all four teams in the semi-finals have the same chance now.\" Meanwhile, Low has warned his side not to overestimate the impact on the national side of the current match-fixing scandal in Italy. Four of Italy's leading clubs, Juventus, AC Milan, Lazio and Fiorentina are on trial charged with fixing matches, but Low believes the saga could have had a positive effect on Italy. He said: \"Italy might have taken further motivation from all the scandals back home.\"

Germany v Italy
Germany midfielder Torsten Frings will miss Tonight's semi-final against Italy after being banned by Fifa. Frings was found guilty of throwing a punch at Argentina's Julio Cruz during the ugly fracas that followed Friday's quarter-final in Berlin. However, captain Michael Ballack and top scorer Miroslav Klose will be fit after shrugging off minor injuries. Italy's Alessandro Nesta, who has missed the last two games with a groin injury, looks certain to miss out. Germany (probable): Lehmann, Friedrich, Metzelder, Mertesacker, Lahm, Schneider, Borowski, Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Klose Italy (probable): Buffon, Zambrotta, Materazzi, Cannavaro, Grosso, Perrotta, Pirlo, Gattuso, Totti, Toni, Gilardino Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ballack and Klose, who passed late fitness tests to play in the quarter-final win over Argentina, will again shake off minor problems to feature. But manager Jurgen Klinsmann is unable to select an unchanged line up for the fifth match in six games because of the unavailability of Frings. Fifa president Sepp Blatter said the decision to ban Frings should have come sooner rather than later. \"The decision should come more than a day before the match,\" Blatter said. \"Fifa has learned something from this experience. \"We accept responsibility that it took so long. But the decision is final and clear.\" But the impact of Oliver Neuville, Tim Borowski and David Odonkor as substitutes in previous games should ensures the hosts have a wealth of options on the bench. Alessandro Nesta has not featured since limping out of Italy's last Group E game against the Czech Republic, though he publicly claimed before the quarter-final win over Ukraine that he was hopeful of recovering in time for the semis. Marco Materazzi is available again after a ban, but Mauro Camoranesi is struggling with a right knee injury. Luca Toni's brace against Ukraine may have earned him a stay of execution after a below-par tournament before the quarters, but Alberto Gilardino looks set return in place of the injured Camoranesi in a 4-3-1-2 formation. That would free Francesco Totti to roam behind the front two with coach Lippi hoping to expose Germany's defensive flaws in Dortmund. BIG MATCH STATS Head-to-heads Italy and Germany have met on 28 occasions, with Italy winning 13 and Germany seven. The pair have contested six competitive matches which all took place at major championships. Italy are unbeaten in this respect winning twice and drawing four times. In four previous World Cup encounters, Italy have won twice and drawn twice. The sides have met only once at the World Cup semi-final stage. In 1970, the Italians secured a dramatic 4-3 victory in extra time setting up a final meeting with Brazil. Germany missed a chance to vindicate that loss in the 1982 World Cup final, in which they fell 3-1 to the 'Azzurri'. In the last meeting between these teams, Italy hammered Germany 4-1 in a friendly in Florence. Alberto Gilardino, Luca Toni, Daniele De Rossi and Alessandro Del Piero netted, before Robert Huth produced a late consolation goal for the visitors. Team facts - Germany Germany have reached seven World Cup finals in their 16 appearances, winning three (1954, 1974, 1990). The Germans have won seven of their last nine matches, and can become the first nation to reach eight World Cup finals. Team facts - Italy Italy have won three World Cups (1934, 1938 and 1982) and one European Championship (1968). They are unbeaten in 23 international matches, their longest undefeated streak since 1939. Italy's nine goals at the 2006 World Cup have been scored by eight different players. They have only conceded one goal at this tournament, and that an own goal by Cristian Zaccardo in the group match against the United States. Player facts - Germany Torsten Frings, Lukas Podolski, David Odonkor and Arne Friedrich will miss a potential final match if they receive a yellow card against Italy. Miroslav Klose is currently the top scorer at these finals with five goals. Klose has a total of 10 World Cup goals and is one of 12 players in the competition's history whose goal tally is in double figures. Gerd Muller (14), Jurgen Klinsmann (11) and Helmut Rahn (10) are the other Germans on the list. Half of Klose's goals in Germany 2006 have come from assists from Michael Ballack. Player facts - Italy Daniel De Rossi will serve the last of a four match suspension and will be eligible should Italy reach the final. Marco Materazzi returns from a one match suspension after having been sent off against Australia. Fabio Grosso, Gianluca Zambrotta and Gennaro Gattuso will miss a potential final match if they receive a yellow card against Germany. Alberto Gilardino will celebrate his 24th birthday the day after the match. The hosts have won six of the previous 17 World Cup editions. Germany also hosted the World Cup in 1974, when they emerged victorious by defeating Holland in the final. (West) Germany have a very impressive record while playing in Dortmund - winning 13 and drawing one of the 14 international matches played in the city. The draw came in 1977 against Wales. During these matches, Germany have scored 59 times, and conceded only seven. Italy have reached the World Cup final every 12 years since 1970. They lost in 1970, won the final in 1982 and lost in 1994. They have lost all three of their penalty shoot-outs contested in the World Cup, whereas the Germans have won all four of theirs.

England were too tired - Crouch
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has blamed exhaustion for the dismal penalty shoot-out performance that ended England's World Cup campaign. He said Wayne Rooney's sending off left the players too tired for the spot-kicks, which they lost 3-1. \"I honestly felt exhaustion set in at the end against Portugal,\" said Crouch, who was not one of the penalty-takers. \"We had played quite a lot of the game with 10 men and I think we took the penalties in a tired way.\" England missed three of their four penalties after Saturday's quarter-final had finished scoreless. The side had played for an hour with 10 men after Rooney's red card for a stamp on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho. Crouch's club team-mates Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, plus Frank Lampard, all failed to net from the spot in Gelsenkirchen. Owen Hargreaves was the only scorer. \"Everyone worked so hard and I genuinely feel everyone had given everything by the time we had to take the penalties. That definitely showed in the penalties we had to take,\" added Crouch. It was England's fifth defeat on penalties in a major competition in the past 16 years. But Crouch, 25, who came on as a substitute after Rooney's dismissal, insisted England could have done no more to prepare for the penalties. He said: \"We have come in for criticism in the past for not practising penalties but I can assure you, we had been practising them all the time after going to Germany in early June - and before that. \"They had been going well in practice - but we were fresh then. We were in an empty stadium as well, which is a different ball game to Saturday. \"When it goes to penalties it is a lottery and we came unstuck again on Saturday. It was a bitter blow to go out of the World Cup the way we did and afterwards a few of the lads were inconsolable. \"Every one of us felt we could go all the way this time. We really felt we had the team to achieve that goal and it is such a shame it ended like it did.\"

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