Germany to keep public out of training sessions

5 June 2008

ASCONA – Germany are sticking to plans to keep the public out of training sessions during the European Championships.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said at the team’s Swiss base at Ascona on Wednesday that public training "was not possible and would not take place," citing security and organisational problems.

However the German federation would review its future training procedures after the tournament.

Only Germany and Poland of the 16 teams will not hold any training sessions in front of spectators.

UEFA, football’s governing body in Europe, had recommended the opening of at least one training session to the public.

UEFA regulations stipulate that the first 15 minutes of a team’s final training session the day before a match must be open to the media.

On Wednesday, Germany played a friendly Wednesday against a selection of the Swiss canton of Ticino and won 8-0.

The unannounced game was played over four periods of 20 minutes. Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez each scored twice. The other goals came from Kevin Kuranyi, Lukas Podolski, Oliver Neuville and Thomas Hitzlsperger.

The game was not open to the fans or media.

[dpa / AP / Expatica]