Manning the posts
March 1, 2010
Andreas Koepke confirmed what most German soccer fans already suspected at a press conference on Monday, March 1, ahead of Germany's Wednesday friendly against Argentina.
Koepke is German coach Joachim Loew's right-hand man when it comes to goalkeeping. "Rene is the number one," he told reporters. "Whether he plays in the World Cup is in his hands. Rene earned this position with his work in the World Cup qualifiers."
Adler has been up against competition from two other talented German keepers, Manuel Neuer of Schalke and Bremen's Tim Wiese. But he has consistently started and turned in fine performances against main rivals Russia in last year's qualifiers to ensure Germany booked its ticket for the big show in South Africa.
Legendary keepers
If Adler does indeed don the gloves as Germany's starter for the tournament, he will follow in the footsteps of legendary keepers like Sepp Maier and the "Titan," Oliver Kahn. But the 25-year-old Leverkusen player, who regularly ranks among the top players at his position in the Bundesliga, said he felt he could deal with that legacy.
"It's not a burden having such great predecessors," Adler told reporters. "It's a challenge for me because I play for a country that has, for generations, had such excellent goalkeepers."
And Adler got a welcome vote of confidence from Kahn himself.
Kahn agrees
"It was a logical and correct decision," the goalkeeping legend told the press. "Performances for your club count, and his were good. Performances for your national team also count, and his were also good there. And after his fantastic performances against Russia, no other decision was possible."
Such expressions of trust, of course, do not amount to a guarantee that Adler will start in South Africa. But barring injury or a catastrophic loss of form, he will feel certain to get the nod when soccer's premier event kicks off in June.
Koepke also confirmed that, in keeping with Adler's newly acknowledged status, he would start Germany's friendly against Argentina.
Author: Jefferson Chase
Editor: Michael Lawton