June 24 (Bloomberg) -- Germany became the third team ranked in the world's top 10 to exit Euro 2004 in the first round, joining Italy and Spain. Coach Rudi Voeller blamed a dearth of goal-scorers and said he'll consider quitting.
The record three-time European champion lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic yesterday, leaving it with two goals after three games. The Czechs and the Netherlands, with 13 goals between them, reached the quarterfinals.
``We're not a match for the big soccer nations at the moment,'' Voeller told a news conference. ``We're very disappointed that we've got to go home. We have a problem in the attacking department.''
Italy and Spain also struggled for goals, with star strikers Christian Vieri and Raul Gonzalez failing to score. Italy got a total of three goals and Spain two. According to Voeller Germany's problem is simple: it hasn't got a proven striker.
Voeller, Germany's second-highest scorer, selected Brazil- born Kevin Kuranyi as a lone forward during the tournament, even though he recognizes failings in the 22-year-old's game.
``Kuranyi did a very good job but he has certain deficiencies in terms of scoring,'' Voeller said. ``He's lacking cold blood, killer instinct.''
He said Kuranyi, who plays for Stuttgart, and Cologne striker Lukas Podolski would improve before the 2006 World Cup, which Germany will host. Podolski, 18, made his debut as a substitute yesterday.
Debate
Voeller, who coached Germany to the 2002 World Cup final and scored 47 times in 90 internationals as a player, has a contract through the 2006 edition. He said he hasn't decided whether to honor it after yesterday's exit.
``A public debate will follow in Germany,'' Voeller said. ``I'll have a joint-analysis with the German soccer federation. I reserve my final opinion.''
Germany, which last won a European championship game in 1996, failed to beat a Czech team that didn't need to win at Lisbon's Estadio Jose Alvalade. The Czechs had already qualified for the quarterfinals. Coach Karel Bruckner rested six players including European footballer of the year Pavel Nedved and Jan Koller.
Germany led on playmaker Michael Ballack's 21st-minute volley from the edge of the penalty area. Marek Heinz made it 1-1 with a curling 25-yard free-kick.
The Germans created a string of chances in the last 25 minutes, with Ballack shooting against the post and Czech substitute Tomas Hubschman clearing off the line. On a Czech counter-attack, Milan Baros, also a substitute, scored the winning goal, jabbing in after goalkeeper Oliver Kahn parried his first shot with 13 minutes left.
Lesser Lights
With the elimination of Germany, Spain and Italy, some of soccer's lesser lights have a place in the quarterfinals, which start today and run through Sunday.
Greece, a 100-1 shot to take the title with bookmaker William Hill two weeks ago, plays defending champion France. The Czech Republic and Denmark, which won the championship as outsiders in 1976 and 1992, also meet. Czech coach Bruckner isn't talking up his team's chances.
``Can we win the title?'' he said. ``I don't think so.''
The record three-time European champion lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic yesterday, leaving it with two goals after three games. The Czechs and the Netherlands, with 13 goals between them, reached the quarterfinals.
``We're not a match for the big soccer nations at the moment,'' Voeller told a news conference. ``We're very disappointed that we've got to go home. We have a problem in the attacking department.''
Italy and Spain also struggled for goals, with star strikers Christian Vieri and Raul Gonzalez failing to score. Italy got a total of three goals and Spain two. According to Voeller Germany's problem is simple: it hasn't got a proven striker.
Voeller, Germany's second-highest scorer, selected Brazil- born Kevin Kuranyi as a lone forward during the tournament, even though he recognizes failings in the 22-year-old's game.
``Kuranyi did a very good job but he has certain deficiencies in terms of scoring,'' Voeller said. ``He's lacking cold blood, killer instinct.''
He said Kuranyi, who plays for Stuttgart, and Cologne striker Lukas Podolski would improve before the 2006 World Cup, which Germany will host. Podolski, 18, made his debut as a substitute yesterday.
Debate
Voeller, who coached Germany to the 2002 World Cup final and scored 47 times in 90 internationals as a player, has a contract through the 2006 edition. He said he hasn't decided whether to honor it after yesterday's exit.
``A public debate will follow in Germany,'' Voeller said. ``I'll have a joint-analysis with the German soccer federation. I reserve my final opinion.''
Germany, which last won a European championship game in 1996, failed to beat a Czech team that didn't need to win at Lisbon's Estadio Jose Alvalade. The Czechs had already qualified for the quarterfinals. Coach Karel Bruckner rested six players including European footballer of the year Pavel Nedved and Jan Koller.
Germany led on playmaker Michael Ballack's 21st-minute volley from the edge of the penalty area. Marek Heinz made it 1-1 with a curling 25-yard free-kick.
The Germans created a string of chances in the last 25 minutes, with Ballack shooting against the post and Czech substitute Tomas Hubschman clearing off the line. On a Czech counter-attack, Milan Baros, also a substitute, scored the winning goal, jabbing in after goalkeeper Oliver Kahn parried his first shot with 13 minutes left.
Lesser Lights
With the elimination of Germany, Spain and Italy, some of soccer's lesser lights have a place in the quarterfinals, which start today and run through Sunday.
Greece, a 100-1 shot to take the title with bookmaker William Hill two weeks ago, plays defending champion France. The Czech Republic and Denmark, which won the championship as outsiders in 1976 and 1992, also meet. Czech coach Bruckner isn't talking up his team's chances.
``Can we win the title?'' he said. ``I don't think so.''
