Soccer: Germany diss Aussie threat

According to Philipp Lahm, the new captain of Germany, his country's team are "not typically German any more".

There is, though, no shortage of the arrogance traditionally associated with German sides if the comments of coach Joachim Loew are anything to go by.

"We want to be able to embarrass opponents with our playing skills," he said ahead of tomorrow morning's opening match against Australia in the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Compounding the impression, Loew then suggested their opponents were "boring" and would provide "anything but a spectacle".

Under Pim Verbeek, Australia have a more defensive style than under Guus Hiddink at the last World Cup. Harry Kewell is usually a lone attacker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

This has been criticised in Australia, but that is a different matter from being commented upon by outsiders and Tim Cahill responded brusquely to Low.

"Let them throw stones, we'll just cop it on the chin," said the Everton midfielder.

"It definitely doesn't bother us. There is a lot of talk about the Germans talking us down and how well they are going to do and for us that is a positive. We are going into the game as underdogs and hopefully try to make our imprint on the game as soon as possible."

Cahill did admit Australia would be looking "to stay defensively compact then hit them on the break," which rather confirmed Low's analysis.

If this breaks with Australia's "have a go" traditions, the Germans are also confounding stereotype.

"We are not typically German any more," said Lahm, who replaced the injured Michael Ballack.

"We have more players who go into the one-on-one situations stronger. Technically, we are much stronger and the unpredictability is greater in this German team than it ever was."

Mesut Ozil, who destroyed England in last summer's European Under-21 Championship, is the main justification for such a claim.

"I think this is the best team, with the most quality of all the ones I have played in," added Lahm, who won the first of his 65 caps in February 2004.

At 26, Lahm is Germany's youngest tournament captain and he leads their youngest squad since the 1934 World Cup.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said their side had young players who "are fresh and daring, and with good tactics we could be on our way to something big."

One tradition Germany hope to continue is that of Miroslav Klose scoring in a World Cup. The Bayern Munich striker, now 32, hit five in the last two tournaments and Low said his form was returning after a poor club season.

Australia have been poor in warm-ups, edging New Zealand and losing to the US, although they did defeat Denmark. Germany have scored nine goals in three games against Malta, Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Australia were inspired by movie star John Travolta, who paid a visit to the team. Travolta is an ambassador for one of the team's sponsors and showed off some dance moves. Midfielder Carl Valeri was thrilled with the visit, saying "I watch his movies and I love them. ..."

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer said Travolta "wished us well," and was "inspirational."

- INDEPENDENT