Germany have belief to end big-name winless streak

BERLIN, June 26 (Reuters) Germany have the strength to beat Argentina and bring their ''black series'' against top class opposition to an end, coach Juergen Klinsmann said today.

It is almost six years since Germany's last win over one of the game's major powers, a 1-0 victory against England at Wembley in October 2000.

After four wins from four games at this World Cup Klinsmann is confident the sequence, known in Germany as the ''black series'', will come to an end in Friday's quarter-final against Argentina and send the Germans through to the last four.

''I'm very optimistic this is going to work out,'' Klinsmann said at a news conference on Monday. ''It looks like the time to end this series and get into the semi-finals.

''We are absolutely on a par with the top eight teams in this World Cup and we don't have to be scared of anyone. Argentina are one of the giants but we will stand up to them.'' Germany's level of fitness has been noticeably higher than that of their opponents in their matches so far.

They have come out playing a fast, aggressive game and have scored early in two of the three group matches, against Costa Rica and Ecuador, and again in the commanding 2-0 win over Sweden in the second round on Saturday.

''We're fully fit and I'm sure we won't have to reduce our intensity on Friday at all,'' Klinsmann said. ''In fact, we're going to step things up.'' Germany have already brought one negative run to an end at this World Cup, when a 1-0 victory over Poland gave them their first win over a fellow European team at the finals of the World Cup or European Championship in 10 years.

REUTERS PDS ND1938