Germany players get pass out from Berlin

BERLIN, June 16 (Reuters) Germany's players were given a 30-hour pass out after training today following the team's early qualification for the second round of the World Cup.

The hosts, who beat Costa Rica and Poland in their opening two Group A games, were assured of a place in the last 16 when Ecuador beat Costa Rica yesterday.

Coach Juergen Klinsmann scheduled a fitness session at the team hotel this morning and then told his players not to report back to their Berlin base until tomorrow evening.

The players can visit their homes and families or use the free time for something else. Only Philipp Lahm and Thomas Hitzlsperger were delayed slightly by media duties today.

Germany need to beat Ecuador in Berlin on Tuesday to finish top of the group and set up a game against the second-placed team in Group B, which is likely to be England or Sweden.

REUTERS PDS PM1839