Germany get time to relax before Argentina test

BERLIN, June 25 (Reuters) Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann has given his players a day and a half to relax before they start preparing to take on Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals.

In keeping with the laid-back attitude Klinsmann has tried to foster in his squad, the host nation's players could leave their Berlin hotel this afternoon and do not have to return until next evening, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said.

''The idea is to let the players relax for a day and let them clear their heads a bit, after these tough days and the tension the players feel, and then really get to work,'' he said.

The Germans reached the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Sweden in Munich yesterday.

Klinsmann also gave the players a day off ahead of their second group game against Poland -- a strategy that seemed to pay off as the Germans won 1-0.

But Friday's quarter-final in Berlin's Olympiastadion will be a far stiffer test for Germany, who have not beaten one of world soccer's elite in almost six years.

Bierhoff said the huge wave of enthusiasm in the host nation for the national team and their attacking style of football could help propel them past Argentina.

''We'll use the momentum,'' said Bierhoff, the former international striker who now takes care of much of the organisational work around the team.

''It's important that the team feels this support and you can see how they're carried along by this wave,'' he added.

''I think we can compete against Argentina, who I reckon are the strongest team in the tournament,'' he added.

''It'll be a tough task. On the other hand, their last two games against Mexico and Holland have shown that even Argentina are vulnerable and can be beaten and that's what we'll try to do.'' Argentina came from behind to defeat Mexico 2-1 in extra time of their second round match in Leipzig yesterday. They drew 0-0 with the Netherlands in their final group game.

Germany striker Lukas Podoloski, scorer of both goals in the win over Sweden, said he was looking forward to playing Argentina despite their reputation.

''I think we can match them. They're not much stronger than we are,'' said Podolski, who plans to fly to Cologne to visit his family during his time off.

''The Argentinian team play good football but we like teams like that,'' he said.

''I prefer to play against stronger teams than against weaker teams who just pack their defence.'' Reuters DH RS1940