A high quality video of highlights from the friendly game last week between Germany and the Ivory Coast. Special tribute was paid to Robert Enke at the beginning and the game ended in a 2-2 draw, with both of Germany’s goals scored by Podolski.

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An injury time goal from Lukas Podolski rescued a 2-2 friendly draw for Germany against Ivory Coast on Wednesday, the home team’s first game since last week’s suicide of keeper Robert Enke.

Germany took an 11th-minute lead when Guy Demel brought down Stefan Kiessling and Podolski sent the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.

The Ivorians equalised in bizarre fashion. Halftime substitute keeper Manuel Neuer attempted to clear a back pass but the ball bounced off Emmanuel Eboue and dribbled into the net. Seydou Doumbia put the visitors in front after 85 minutes with a blistering drive before Podolski’s late strike.

[DFB.de]…

German captain Michael Ballack is listed „out“ for Wednesday’s international match with the Ivory Coast (8.45 P.M., live on ARD). “He is unable to play on Wednesday, due to an irritation in the flexure”, said coach Joachim Löw on Monday. “Having consulted our medical staff, we have come to the conclusion that it is best to sit Ballack on Wednesday. He did not practice last week either. We like to be on the cautious side with our captain.”

The 33-year old did not participate in Monday’s team practice in the Düsseldorf arena. He is expected to return to practice within two to three days.

Forward Miroslav Klose is not with the team right now, as both his children have fallen ill to the swine flu.

Löw is yet undecided on his goalkeeper for the game on Wednesday, with Manuel Neuer (Schalke 04) and Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen) as his potential candidates. Meanwhile, Löw confirmed that Bayer Leverkusen’s forward Stefan Kiesling is part of the opening line-up. Six days after the tragic death of Robert Enke, the coach also talked about the difficult task to prepare his team for a football game: “I keep a close watch on the guys. We …

Following the tragic death of German goalkeeper Robert Enke, the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (DFB) calls off the game against Chile in Cologne on Saturday. Fans having bought and purchased tickets will be reimbursed. Detailed information on the proceedure will be published on this webpage.

The decision was made in a meeting this Wednesday in Bonn, with DFB-President Dr. Theo Zwanziger, General Secretary Wolfgang Niersbach, the team’s coach Joachim Löw and the team-manager Oliver Bierhoff participating. The team had also voted for a cancellation of the game against Chile.

“We could not play the game against Chile on Saturday, that was a unanimous decision”, said Dr. Zwanziger, who added that the decision “was without an alternative.” Enke died on Tuesday at the age of 32.

The cancellation leaves Germany with just two games ahead of the nomination of the World Cup roster – next week’s game in Gelsenkirchen against the Ivory Coast (Wednesday, November 18, 8.45 P.M., live on ARD) and the classic football confrontation with Argentinia on March 3rd in Munich.

[DFB.de]…

R.I.P.

Feel free to leave your tributes in the comments below.…

Seven months prior to the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, adidas and the DFB presented the brand new home jersey of the German team.

The jersey in traditional white, for the first time including three stripes in black, gold and red on the sleeve , was introduced during an event in Herzogenaurach, the home of DFB equipment supplier adidas. DFB coach Joachim Löw, Captain Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Franz Beckenbauer unveiled the jersey to the public.

“The new jersey gives us an extra spark for the upcoming preparation for the 2010 World Cup”, said Ballack.

“Adidas is the number one brand in football, a fact underlined by today’s presentation of the German jersey and the corresponding communication”, said Erich Stamminger from the adidas Group.

Innovative online gaming completes the new jersey’s introduction to the general public. Modern day’s actual players become the protagonist’s of German World Cup history, as fans have the opportunity to replay the 1954, 1974 and 1990 finals, and win tickets for South Africa along the way. The jersey’s are available in all Karstadt sports stores, the official retail partner of the DFB. Starting Friday, the jersey can be …

German headcoach Joachim Löw has nominated rookie Aaron Hunt into the squad for the two final friendlies of the year against Chile in Cologne on November 14th and against Ivory Coast in Gelsenkirchen on November 18th.

Against Ivory Coast, Löw has also nominated another rookie. Thomas Müller will complete the squad for the match in Gelsenkirchen. Ahead of this encounter, striker Müller from Bayern München is a member of the German Under 21 team that faces Northern Ireland in a EURO qualifier in Belfast on November 13th.

“I want Thomas to get a glimpse of the atmosphere in the ‘Mannschaft’. This is part of our concept which has also been arranged with Under 21 coach Rainer Adrion. Thus, Müller first has to take responsibility in the important Under 21 match in Belfast”, says Löw.

Bundesliga topscorer Stefan Kießling from Bayer Leverkusen returns to the squad that meets in Bonn on Tuesday to start preparation.

Keeper Tim Wiese will start the match against Chile as Manuel Neuer will make his debut on homesoil against the Ivory Coast.

Rene Adler who was nominated as third keeper called off on Friday due to a keratitis in his eye. Löw announced, he won’t nominate …