Gloves off as Lehmann eyes German jersey

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will be determined to prove he should be first choice for the approaching 2004 European championships when Germany host neighbours Belgium in an international friendly in Cologne.

Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will be determined to prove he should be first choice for the approaching 2004 European championships when Germany host neighbours Belgium in Wednesday's friendly match in Cologne.

German national coach Rudi Voller has confirmed that Lehmann, 34, will start his first game between the posts since August 2002 with captain Oliver Kahn earning a rest.

Lehmann has been in scintillating form for Arsenal this season and will hope to back his claim that his arch rival Kahn - the pair do not speak on international duty - is "not as consistent".

"I hope I do everything right," confessed the Arsenal man.

In a duel between two great beer producing nations Lehmann, nicknamed 'Tarzan', will not want to be nursing a hangover on Thursday morning.

Kahn has cast a gigantic shadow over Lehmann restricting the former Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper to just 16 caps.

"Jens is one of the best keepers in the Premier League," explained former German and now Scotland manager Berti Vogts. "But Olli is just a touch better."

While World Cup finalists Germany have fierce competition for the number one jersey their shot-shy attack is a cause for concern.

Kevin Kuranyi is frantically searching for his shooting boots at VfB Stuttgart while Oliver Neuville and Fredi Bobic are not regulars with Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin respectively.

The lack of striking options has led to calls for Hansa Rostock's in-form striker Martin Max, 35, to be drafted in.

Miroslav Klose misses the match with a knee injury and Voller acknowledges the goals onus lies with attacking midfielder Michael Ballack.

"(Zinedine) Zidane is the greatest player on the planet but Ballack scores more goals at the end of a season," Voller informed magazine Kicker.

Bayern Munich star Ballack, who has had a rollercoaster season, scored in his side's 5-2 demolition of Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.

Germany will look to bolster confidence ahead of the 2004 European championships in Portugal and their chances are improved with Belgium losing the services of star Ajax attacker Wesley Sonck through injury.

Former Schalke 04 forward Emile Mpenza, 25, will hope to come into the fold and put himself in the shop window - Werder Bremen are watching the Standard Liege star.

Germany have fond memories against Belgium with the West German side lifting the 1972 European championship there, before defeating Belgium 2-1 in the 1980 final in Italy.

On the other hand the pain of the 2000 European championships, co-hosted by Belgium and Holland, is still felt by German football fans.

Erich Ribbeck's German team lost 1-0 against England in Charleroi after drawing 1-1 with Romania in Liege.

The Euro 96 winners fared little better in Holland where they were routed 3-0 by Portugal.