German striker Miroslav Klose is thoroughly enjoying playing the elder statesman in a squad that has surpassed initial expectations to reach the World Cup semi-finals in South Africa 2010.

 

The German squad, full of youth and relative inexperience, has given the 32 year-old forward a boost and with four goals so far, he will continue to look for more in what will probably be his last major tournament. However, it is the form of the young players that has made an impression on Klose. “A few years ago people kept saying that it was a shame there weren’t any new generations coming through. They said we have no forwards and no creative midfielders. But time has proved these people wrong.”

The only blemish on Germany’s preparation ahead of the Uruguay match is the concern over the fitness of Arne Friedrich and Sami Khedira.