 Klinsmann hopes his side gels at this summer's World Cup |
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann has offered Wales hope after the countries were drawn together in their Euro 2008 qualifying group. "We're in a transitional period," said Klinsmann, whose side also face the Republic of Ireland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, San Marino and Cyprus.
"There have been changes over 18 months with a lot of younger players.
"Almost the entire team has come through from the Under-21s, a lot of them are very promising."
But the former World Cup-winning striker says he believes the side will gel when they host this summer's World Cup finals.
"I hope to get them taking one step at a time and eventually play at the highest level," he added.
"We are coming through this cycle and hope to show that at the World Cup finals, I am very optimistic about the future."
Wales manager John Toshack says that Germany will be a huge challenge, but not one that his team should find daunting.
"I think Germany would accept that they don't have the great players they used to have," said Toshack.
"They had some of the greatest players in world football like Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller, but how many times have we counted them out of tournaments and they have gone on to surprise everybody?"
Toshack also feels that the Republic of Ireland are past their peak, although he believes that their new manager Steve Staunton could galvanise them.
"This group will be hard and it's particularly exciting with Ireland also in there," said the Wales boss.
"I wish Steve all the very best in the games - against the other teams obviously.
"When big Jack Charlton was at the helm they had some great footballers like Mark Lawrenson and Liam Brady and they have had some great players since like Roy Keane.
"But they don't have that strength anymore and it's going to be hard for them.
"Steve was a good choice by the Ireland FA, though, they obviously liked something in him when he was a player and they have been brave."
MMIX
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I think Germany would accept that they don't have the great players they used to have
