German World Cup players receive top sporting honour

BERLIN, Aug 14 (Reuters) Players from Germany's World Cup squad were presented with the country's highest sporting honour at a ceremony with German President Horst Koehler today.

Germany finished third at the World Cup earlier this year, enthralling the host nation with a series of good displays before going out to eventual champions Italy at the semi-final stage.

''You developed a style, on and off the field, that enthused us all and had been missing for a long time,'' said Koehler.

Juergen Klinsmann, who stepped down as coach after the tournament, was not present to receive the Silver Laurel award from the country's president. Captain Michael Ballack was also missing due to injury.

Reuters DH DB2024