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Metzelder to freeze out Madrid colleagues
by Mattias Rotters from Tenero
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The Germany No21 in action during the semi-final
(¿Getty Images)
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Christoph Metzelder will put cordial relations with Real
Madrid CF team-mates Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos "on ice"
on Sunday as Germany take on Spain.
Fond regards
Central defender Metzelder recently won the Primera Division title in
his first campaign under German coach Bernd Schuster. However, Madrid
colleagues will become adversaries on Sunday as the Mannschaft meet Spain
in the UEFA EURO 2008T showpiece in Vienna. "A final is naturally
something very unique, but this time I'll be up against two team-mates
in Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos," said Metzelder, a 2002 FIFA World
Cup finalist. "We have sent each other our congratulations on reaching
the final and we really get on well but that is something that will be
put on ice for 90 minutes on Sunday. Then everyone will be doing his best
for his country and to win the title."
Inside line
The tall 27-year-old has plenty of respect for Luis Aragones's team. "They
are the only side to have played consistently throughout this tournament
and have hardly shown any sign of weakness so far," he noted. "That
will make them very difficult to break down. We know that they are good,
but they also have a lot of respect for us and the way we play."
As for whether he had any useful inside information on his Madrid team-mates,
he added: "Our scouts have been watching Spain for some time, and
they certainly know more about them than I do. But I know the mentality
of the players and also know how to play against them. I will give my
team-mates a few tips, but it certainly won't be anything decisive."
Shoot-out masters
The former BV Borussia Dortmund man is hoping that everything will be
decided over 90 minutes, despite Germany's reputation as masters of the
shoot-out. "You can't go into a game hoping for it to go to penalties,"
he said. "We will obviously be doing everything in our power to win
the game in the 90 minutes - there's no question about that. Considering
their performances thus far, Spain will go into the match as favourites
but we want to show what we are capable of and win. It's bound to be exciting."
Euro2008.com,
27 June 2008
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