Veterans named in German squad

Hassler last played for Germany at France 98

German coach Erich Ribbeck has named his squad for Euro 2000, with veterans Thomas Hassler and Lothar Matthaus both included in the party.

Hassler has 97 caps to his name but his inclusion is seen as a surprise.

Ribbeck said: "This wasn't a case of 'the others weren't doing the job'.

I believe we are in a position to have a good team which is more than just competitive

Erich Ribbeck

"This is a player with a lot of experience who can help make the team successful with his knowledge and attitude."

Hassler, who last played for Germany in the 1998 World Cup, is joined by late additions Carsten Ramelow and Paolo Rink of Bayer Leverkusen in the German line-up.

Hertha Berlin striker Michael Preetz and Leverkusen winger Oliver Neuville, both regulars in recent times, lost their places and have been placed on stand-by along with uncapped 1860 Munich striker Martin Max.

Bayern midfielder Jens Jeremies has been included, even though he has yet to prove his fitness following a broken collar bone.

Jens Jeremies remains a fitness doubt for the finals

"The key to my choosing the squad was having alternatives for every position so that I could replace any one player with someone of similar quality," Ribbeck said.

"The toughest decision was omitting Oliver Neuville who has been in the side since I took over. Still I believe we are in a position to have a good team which is more than just competitive."

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Germany squad:

Goalkeepers: Oliver Kahn (Bayern Munich), Jens Lehmann (Borussia Dortmund), Hans-Joerg Butt (Hamburg).

Defenders: Markus Babbel (Liverpool), Thomas Linke (Bayern Munich), Lothar Matthaus (New York-New Jersey Metrostars), Jens Nowotny (Bayer Leverkusen), Marko Rehmer (Hertha Berlin).

Midfielders: Michael Ballack (Bayer Leverkusen), Sebastian Deisler (Hertha Berlin), Thomas Hassler (TSV 1860 Munich), Dietmar Hamann (Liverpool), Jens Jeremies (Bayern Munich), Carsten Ramelow (Bayer Leverkusen), Mehmet Scholl (Bayern Munich), Dariusz Wosz (Hertha Berlin), Christian Ziege (Middlesbrough).

Strikers: Oliver Bierhoff (AC Milan), Marco Bode (Werder Bremen), Carsten Jancker (Bayern Munich), Ulf Kirsten (Bayer Levrkusen), Paolo Rink (Bayer Leverkusen).