Birthday celebrations could go on and on for Klose

GENEVA, May 25: If Juergen Klinsmann's hunch is correct, Miroslav Klose's birthday celebrations could last for the whole World Cup.

Klose turns 28 on June 9, the day Germany get the World Cup ball rolling with a Group A game against Costa Rica in Munich.

The Polish-born striker made a spectacular World Cup debut four years ago in South Korea and Japan, scoring a hat-trick in Germany's 8-0 win over Saudi Arabia.

He will start this tournament in the form of his life, after top-scoring in the Bundesliga with 25 goals this season, and Klinsmann expects an even greater impact this time.

''Miro has made a very positive development over the last two years,'' Klinsmann told journalists at the German training camp today.

''We've been trying to get him into his perfect rhythm. He wasn't seriously injured for the Confederations Cup (in 2005) but we told him to forget the tournament, to go away and get completely fit.

''He's matured and become a leader of this team.'' Klose scored five goals at the last World Cup, a tally bettered only by Ronaldo of Brazil. All those goals were headers, which surprised a few people given his no more than average height.

''In 2002 no one knew who I was,'' Klose said at a news conference today. ''That meant I could play with a lot of freedom. Now my name is well known.

''But that record will spur me on. I like to put pressure on myself. I hope I score one or two more goals than at the last World Cup.'' Germany midfielder Torsten Frings played alongside Klose for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and Champions League last season and expects another fine World Cup for the forward.

''With Klose in this form Germany can have a super tournament,'' Frings said.

Klose's strike partner Lukas Podolski was also born in Poland, which should make it interesting when Germany play the Poles in their second group match. Ecuador are the fourth team in Germany's group.

REUTERS