German fans losing faith in team

Jurgen Klinsmann lifts the European Championship trophy at Wembley in 1996

A dwindling number of Germans believe their team will retain the European championship, according to a survey published by the Emnid polling institute.

The survey found only 28 per cent of 1,000 Germans over the age of 14 believed the team who won Euro 96 would be champions again in the finals starting next month.

The figures were down compared with a survey before Germany's disappointing 1-1 draw against Switzerland in a friendly last month.

Before the Swiss match, 34 per cent said they believed Germany would win Euro 2000.

Arrogant

Only 38 per cent of those surveyed by Emnid now believe Germany will even reach the final, down from 48 per cent who felt that would happen before the Swiss match.

Oliver Bierhoff was Germany's two-goal hero in 96

A growing number of Germans said they felt the team was "arrogant", according to the survey. A total of 63 per cent now believe that, up from 49 per cent in April.

Only 20 per cent believe the team is "ready for battle", "motivated", "likeable", and "successful" - down from 66 per cent in April.

More than 70 per cent said that they felt the playes were more interested in "money" than the "honour" of playing for Germany, the survey found.