Soccer: Hosts sound a cautious note

BERLIN - Juergen Klinsmann is basking in the affections of a nation but the coach knows a slip against Sweden would make him responsible for one of Germany's least successful Cup campaigns.

Germany, three times winners and finalists on a further four occasions, have cruised into the second round of their home tournament with wins over Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador.

Klinsmann has heard his name chanted at the stadiums, while fans and pundits everywhere have given him warm praise for building a team with an insatiable appetite for attack.

Another full house of 66,000 will be at the Allianz Arena in Munich expecting victory - but the coach has been at pains to point out that nothing has yet been achieved.

Klinsmann will warn his players that Sweden, who showed great character to draw 2-2 with England in their last Group B game and may have Zlatan Ibrahimovic back after injury, are capable of pricking the euphoria.

"The Swedes are quite an obstacle," he said. "We've seen their games at this tournament and we know they're capable of keeping up with the best."

Germany's last real failure at a World Cup was in 1978 in Argentina.

Since then they have reached the final four times, winning it in 1990, and making the quarter-finals in 1994 and 1998.

Christoph Metzelder will return to a full-strength side at centre back after being rested in the Ecuador game.

Germany have won two of three World Cup meetings against Sweden, including a 4-2 victory in 1974 on their way to winning the title on home soil.

Sweden's win came in the 1958 semifinal in their home World Cup but they lost the final to Brazil.

The Swedes have had to battle to come through the group stage this time after being held to a goalless draw with Trinidad & Tobago in their opening match. They clinched a 1-0 win over Paraguay with a late goal and drew against England.

"The second half was really good against England," said coach Lars Lagerback. "Physically we were the stronger team. It's a little advantage for the German team to be playing at home, but the players can handle it."

Ibrahimovic missed the Paraguay and England games.

* Germany v Sweden
Munich, tomorrow 3am

- REUTERS