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Stuttgart and Dortmund ready for ‘in-form’ test

Sunday’s Bundesliga clash of VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund appears to be a test of preserving form when the in-form duo meet at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

The Swabians have won their last three games and are unbeaten since Christian Gross took over from Markus Babbel in December.

Meanwhile, the Westphalians have not lost since September, winning nine and drawing three of their last 12 matches.

But their coach Jurgen Klopp has lost every time he has visited Stuttgart, be it with Dortmund or his former club Mainz. Nevertheless, he says that negative record is there to be broken.

“The probability of a streak ending increases the longer it goes on,” he said.

“We want to play a really good game there.”

A win for Dortmund could take them as high as second in the table, should results elsewhere go their way, while Stuttgart could break into the top half of the table with victory.

But Gross, who took over the Stuttgart reins with the team stuck in the relegation zone, has not forgotten his prime objective for the season.

“Dortmund are the clear favourites in my eyes,” he said.

“They want to qualify for Europe while we are still concentrating on avoiding relegation.”

Gross will welcome Jens Lehmann back into his goal this weekend after his three-game suspension came to an end following last weekend’s win over Freiburg. He replaces Sven Ulreich.

Klopp has to do without Sven Bender, who has played in the last 11 unbeaten matches, due to a knee infection. Tamas Hajnal is a candidate to replace him in the centre of midfield.

Tags: bender, Borussia, borussia dortmund, Bundesliga, christian gross, clash, dortmund, Europe, favourites, game suspension, good game, hajnal, jens lehmann, jurgen klopp, markus babbel, mercedes benz, prime objective, probability, reins, relegation zone, stuttgart, Sven Bender, Sven Ulreich, swabians, three games, vfb stuttgart

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Czech midfielder Berger hangs up his boots

Sparta Prague’s former Czech international midfielder Patrik Berger has announced that he is retiring because of recurrent injuries, his team coach said on Wednesday.

Sparta Prague coach Jozef Chovanec said that the 36-year-old had informed him of his decision on Tuesday. “Patrik told me yesterday ‘It’s over. My knee can no longer hold up’,” said Chovanev.

Berger started his career as a Sparta Prague trainee before before joining city rival’s Slavia Prague aged 18 years. He then moved to Borussia Dortmund in Germany followed by seven years at Liverpool, then Portsmouth, Stoke City and Aston Villa.

He rejoined Sparta in 2008 but rarely featured because of health problems, playing his final match on August 8 last year.

Berger was capped 44 times and scored 18 goals for the Czech Republic between 1993 and 2001.

PRAGUE (AFP)

Tags: 18 years, Aston, aston villa, august 8, boots, chovanec, czech international, czech republic, dortmund, final match, Germany, health problems, jozef, Liverpool, midfielder, patrik berger, Portsmouth, PRAGUE, seven years, slavia prague, sparta prague, Stoke City, team coach

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Koller signs for Cannes

Former Czech international striker Jan Koller, out of contract with Russian first division side Samara, has signed for 18 months with French third division side Cannes, his agent confirmed Monday.

“He preferred a peaceful life with his family despite offers from German and Chinese clubs,” agent Pavel Paska told the CTK agency.

Koller, 36, was also targetted by German Bundesliga club Hamburg.

The top Czech scorer in the history of the national team with 55 goals in 91 matches, Koller played for Monaco from 2006 to 2008 and owns a home in the Principality along the coast from Cannes.

“At 36 years, I no longer have big ambitions, I want to play football for fun,” said the 2.02m striker.

He started his career at Sparta Prague, also playing for Belgian sides Lokeren and Anderlecht and German clubs Borussia Dortmund and Nuremberg.

PRAGUE (AFP)

Tags: AFP, ambitions, cannes, club hamburg, czech international, dortmund, german bundesliga club, Hamburg, jan koller, Monaco, nuremberg, paska, Pavel Paska, peaceful life, PRAGUE, samara, scorer, signs, sparta prague, striker

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New Gunners deal for Rosicky

Tomas Rosicky, the Czech international midfielder, has signed a new contract at Arsenal, the club announced Monday without revealing the length of the deal.

Rosicky, who was signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2006, is the 15th player to sign a new contract for manager Arsene Wenger since May 2009.

The 29-year-old has been rewarded for his fine form this season after missing nearly two full seasons through injuries which had threatened to end his career prematurely.

“The last two seasons haven’t been easy for me because of injuries but I feel it speaks volumes about the club’s belief in me for this to be signed, and I truly believe I have a lot left to offer the club, my team-mates and all the supporters,” Rosicky said.

“It’s felt like home since I arrived here four years ago and I believe we’re on the verge of achieving something special together.

“I’m looking forward to the coming months and hope that together, we are all celebrating at the end of the season.”

Rosicky follows the likes of Robin van Persie, Abou Diaby, Eduardo, Alex Song, Denilson, Theo Walcott, and Aaron Ramsey in signing new contracts in the past year.

Wenger said: “I have spoken many times of Tomas’ class and contribution, not only on the pitch but off it as well, and I very much feel that this new contract reflects that.

“Tomas’ vision and touch is remarkable and I know that we will all benefit from his input in the coming seasons. Tomas is a special talent and we’re delighted that he has committed his future to Arsenal.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Aaron Ramsey, alex, Alex Song, arsenal london, contracts, denilson, dortmund, Eduardo, gunners, london, manager arsene wenger, midfielder, new contract, pitch, ramsey, robin van persie, team mates, theo walcott, Tomas, tomas rosicky, two seasons, verge

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Rebel Kuranyi hoping for World Cup redemption

Ex-Germany striker Kevin Kuranyi is hoping his recent good performances for Schalke 04 will help convince national coach Joachim Loew to select the rebel forward for next year’s World Cup.

“The question for me is: how can I manage to change another person’s opinion?” Kuranyi told football magazine 11 Freunde.

“This is not just about coach of the national team Loew and the player Kuranyi and I hope that I one day I will get a new chance.”

The chances of Kuranyi being on the plane to South Africa for next summer’s World Cup are slim after he walked out at half-time of Germany’s 2-1 win over Russia in October 2008 during a World Cup qualification match.

The 27-year-old was left out of the matchday squad and stormed out of the stadium in Dortmund before asking a friend to collect his possessions from the team hotel.

He later apologised to Loew for his conduct, but the Germany coach has repeatedly said he will not select Kuranyi again for Germany despite the Schalke forward’s 19 goals for his country in 52 international matches.

With eight goals to his credit in 15 league matches this season, Kuranyi netted in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Werder Bremen which put his side second in the table behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

BERLIN (AFP)

Tags: 11 freunde, bayer leverkusen, berlin, Bremen, dortmund, football magazine, Germany, joachim, joachim loew, Kevin Kuranyi, national coach, possessions, redemption, russia, schalke 04, South Africa, striker, team hotel, werder bremen, world cup qualification

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Veh keen on winter break

Wolfsburg coach Armin Veh cannot wait for the winter break to arrive after his side were crushed 3-1 at home by Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.

The defending champions currently lie in ninth position, nine points behind league leaders Bayer Leverkusen with one game to go before the midway stage of the season.

But although that is precisely the same situation they were in at this stage of last season before winning 14 of their final 17 games to clinch their maiden Bundesliga crown, the signs are not looking so good this year, as Veh acknowledged.

“We have had many bitter results in recent weeks and that has affected the team mentally too,” he admitted.

“The break will certainly do us good, even if it is only short.

“We were not there yesterday, both mentally and physically. The games we have played over recent weeks are still in our legs.”

Veh altered his tactics for the game, playing with just Edin Dzeko as a lone striker in a bid to pack his defence against the league’s in-form team.

However, that plan didn’t work out and, after just 10 minutes, his side were already two goals down.

“I changed because we had been conceding too many goals at home, but after the 2-0, that had all gone to waste,” he added.

“We knew beforehand that it was going to be tough today, but a win would have taken us right back up there

“But Dortmund deserved the points and now we have to pull ourselves together next week and get points against Frankfurt.”

Tags: Armin Veh, bayer, bayer leverkusen, Borussia, Bundesliga, coach, dortmund, Dzeko, FRANKFURT, game, games, keen, league leaders, legs, LEVERKUSEN, ninth position, signs, striker, winter break, Wolfsburg

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Heynckes not disappointed by draw

Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes said he could live with the 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund on Friday night which took his side one point clear at the top of the Bundesliga.

Manuel Friedrich salvaged a point for Leverkusen after Lucas Barrios’ third goal in as many games had given the visitors an early lead and Heynckes admitted it was the best result his side could have achieved, given their performance.

“I had a bad feeling before the game and so I am not dissatisfied with the 1-1,” he said.

“Dortmund played courageously and were very lively, ran a lot, played tactically clever and were compact in defence.

“Overall, we lacked concentration.”

Leverkusen could relinquish top spot in the Bundesliga on Sunday, should there be a winner from Schalke’s clash with Hamburg, while Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich will all be looking to narrow the gap on the leaders with wins.

The point for Dortmund left them in mid-table, but extended their unbeaten run to three matches, leaving their coach Jurgen Klopp more than satisfied.

“I enjoy getting a point against the league leaders,” he said.

“If Jupp Heynckes says that his team did not play very well, then it was also due to the fact that we defended strongly.

“If we had just shown a bit more faith in our own ability, then maybe there would have been more in it for us.

“Today was another step forwards and I have the impression that we are getting back to our old strength.”

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: bayer leverkusen, bayern munich, Bremen, Bundesliga, clash, coach, concentration, dortmund, faith, forwards, friday night, gap, Hamburg, jupp heynckes, jurgen, jurgen klopp, league leaders, lucas barrios, Manuel Friedrich, mid table, werder bremen, Wolfsburg

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Haunted Swiss see South Africa beckoning

Switzerland head into the final two World Cup qualifying matches with a three-point lead in Group two this weekend, anxious to wipe out memories of a disastrous Euro 2008 in front of their home crowd.

Since then they have gradually pulled into the reckoning for South Africa after a shaky start in arguably the weakest European qualifying group, thanks to one of Europe’s most successful coaches, Ottmar Hitzfeld.

But they are also haunted by memories of a shock 2-1 home defeat last year to Saturday’s opponents, lowly Luxembourg, that almost dashed their World Cup hopes.

Hitzfeld was trying to keep his side focused ahead of the away tie and a finale against Israel in Basel next Wednesday, following a rollercoaster ride since he took over the side 14 months ago.

“We haven’t reached anything and must first take care of our homework,” he insisted Friday.

The former Bundesliga-winning coach with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich has restored Swiss hopes since he took the helm shortly after they ended bottom of their group in the Euro 2008 finals.

But, with four points needed to secure certain qualification — or just three if their closest challengers Greece draw against Latvia on Saturday — Hitzfeld also knows that the tide can turn swiftly.

Despite the 60 year-old’s canny coaching, Switzerland have had a flimsy World Cup campaign.

They squeezed a fragile a 2-2 draw in Tel Aviv and then slumped to their electrifying embarrassment at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich against Luxembourg in September 2008.

Despite a winning run thereafter, another narrow 2-2 draw in Latvia last month only paid dividends because Greece also failed to overcome Moldova.

By contrast, the improving Israelis put seven goals past the hapless Luxembourgeois last month.

Hitzfeld, who established his footballing career in the 1970s as a striker in the Swiss league for Basel, is asking his players to shed the caution they have shown recently and to score goals.

“We have worked on that specially this week and now I hope for a more positive approach,” he said.

Hitzfeld has drafted Zurich and former PSV Eindhoven striker Johann Vonlanthen back into his squad to add spice down the right wing, while Arsenal’s Philippe Senderos is filling in in defence.

He can also count on the national side’s top scorer, captain Alex Frei, who suffered a knee injury early during Euro 2008 and struggled with his recovery until he returned to the Swiss league with Basel this season.

Frei said the 2-1 victory in Greece a year ago marked the turning point.

“We won the match we shouldn’t have lost to stay in the running for direct qualifying,” he said.

“The match at the Letzigrund is part of the past. I hope everyone has learned the lessons of that defeat.”

“If we win 6-0, fine. But 1-0 would be enough to make me happy,” Frei added.

GENEVA (AFP)

Tags: basel, Bayern, borussia dortmund, Bundesliga, captain Alex Frei, challengers, dividends, dortmund, Eindhoven, embarrassment, euro 2008, Europe, footballing career, four points, geneva, greece, home crowd, Johann Vonlanthen, Letzigrund Stadium, ottmar hitzfeld, philippe senderos, qualifying group, rollercoaster ride, striker, swiss league, Switzerland, Tel Aviv, world cup campaign, world cup qualifying matches, ZURICH

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Kringe makes Hertha switch

Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin have acted first, on a predicted busy day of last minute signings in the Bundesliga as the transfer window closes, by signing Florian Kringe on a year-long loan deal from rivals Borussia Dortmund.

After three defeats in a row, Hertha were expected to reveal a striker today, but it turns out they will be adding more players to their arsenal than expected.

And the first of those is Kringe, who didn’t get any playing time at Borussia Dortmund this season and will try to help Hertha in the Bundesliga and UEFA Europa League.

The 27-year-old midfielder started his career with TSV Weißtal and Sportfreunde Siegen and played for Borussia Dortmund at various levels from 1994 to 2002 , before joining 1. FC Köln on loan for two years.

In 2004, he rejoined his parent club but lack of first team football, has led the Siegen born player to join the capital based club Hertha.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: abhimanyu, arsenal, berlin, borussia dortmund, Bundesliga, busy day, capital, dortmund, florian kringe, loan deal, midfielder, playing time, rivals, Siegen, Sportfreunde, sportfreunde siegen, team football, TSV, uefa

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DFB launches investigation into Lehmann-Subotic incident

Germany’s football federation has opened an investigation into Stuttgart goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic after they appeared to elbow each other during a weekend match.

The federation, or DFB, said Tuesday that a committee would investigate suspicions of grossly unsporting behavior by both players.

The DFB said television footage from Saturday’s 1-1 draw suggested that Lehmann deliberately elbowed Subotic in the back of the head, and that the defender then hit back and caught Lehmann’s face.

The match referee said he didn’t seen either incident. Both players have been asked to respond quickly to the accusations.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: accusations, DFB, dortmund, elbow, football federation, Germany, Goalkeeper, investigation, jens lehmann, match, referee, stuttgart, suspicions, television footage

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