Superstitious Metzelder faces itchy time of it

BERLIN, June 26 (Reuters) If Germany reach the World Cup final on July 9 one of their players will be virtually unrecognisable by the time he goes up to collect his medal.

Centre back Christoph Metzelder appeared at a news conference today with several days' growth of facial hair and he will not shave again until Germany are out.

''The beard will only come off when it's over for us,'' Metzelder told reporters.

His luck was clearly in during the 2-0 second-round win over Sweden on Saturday. The defender gave away a penalty in the second half but was able to breathe a sigh of relief when Henrik Larsson blasted it over the bar.

Germany face a tough quarter-final against Argentina in Berlin on Friday. If successful, they would play a semi-final in Dortmund on July 4 before the final back at the Olympiastadion in the capital five days later.

REUTERS PDS ND1930