http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oliver-c28477 Bierhoff pleased to avoid France in their qualification group for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
Germany legend Oliver Bierhoff has expressed pleasure after his team were given some breathing space at the preliminary draws held for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Germany managed to avoid http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Austria-c2844,
Ireland, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kazakhstan-c2931.
The team manager was pleased to have avoided France and was confident about topping the group. He also hoped to have a better campaign as compared to the 2010 World Cup, where the Germans finished third by beating http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Uruguay-c3035 in the classification game.
Bierhoff was present at the time of the draws and was jubilant as soon as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 and France were allotted different groups. The 43-year-old though claimed that the next tournament would be more competitive as European football has come a long way since
the last campaign. He also reckoned that it would require a herculean effort to beat the likes of Ireland and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sweden-c3015 as both teams have improved a lot on their skills.
In an interview to a local news paper, the former German striker enthused, "Of course, we are the favourites in this group. We are both pleased and fortunate that we will not meet France. We must not underestimate the other teams. Any qualification group
in Europe is always difficult these days. We will meet some well-known, recognised opponents. Ireland and Sweden will most certainly be tough and the Austrians will be highly motivated when they play against us."
Bierhoff mentioned that Germany would emerge as a much stronger outfit and credited Bundesliga for enhancing the skills of its players. The former Striker claimed that it won’t be tough to qualify through to the next round but urged his side to take each
game as if they were playing the finals of any competition.
Bierhoff represented Germany for six years (1996-2002) and summed up 70 appearances netting 37 goals in return. He also enjoyed his stint playing in the Bundesliga, representing the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hamburger-SV-c39485 and Borussia Monchengladbach. The striker eventually
retired from international football at the age of 34.
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