Fussball-WM Blog

Berlin (Norbert from fussballwmblog.de). Our 28-year-old Superstar Miroslav Klose (SV Werder Bremen) scored today twice (two goals in the fourth and 44th minute) to help Germany (off to its best World Cup start in 36 years) to a 3-0 win over Ecuador and first place in Group A of the World Cup. "Miro", the german top scorer at the 2002 soccer World Cup celebrated with his trademark somersault, a gesture he says is reserved for important goals in big games. He moved to four goals, the highest at the tournament, and nine in all World Cups to tie for 12th place on the all-time list in his second World Cup. Germany’s "kleines dickes" Gerd Müller leads with 14.

In the 57th, Klose’s partner in Germany’s attack, Lukas Podolski (FC Bayern Munich) scored for Germany, which has nine points from its three group matches (1-0 over Poland, 4-2 over Costa-Rica) and will face the runner-up from Group B (Sweden? Or Trinidad and Tobago?) in the second round at 4pm on Saturday in Munich, Ecuador will play the winner of Group B (England) at 4pm on Sunday in Stuttgart. Three-time champion Germany must win at the 72,000-seat Olympic stadium to avoid facing David Beckham and Wayne Rooney!

The German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann (Arsenal London) convinced: he tipped a long-range shot of Edwin Tenorio over the crossbar (in the 49th) and later, he parried another long-range shot (of Edison Mendez). Also because of the World’s best goalie, the once vulnerable german defense has not conceded a goal in two straight games.

Nordmaedchen: "Also, we have the best soccer boyband ever. Keep that in mind! "

Poland ends its 2006 World Cup w/ a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica (Bosacki had 2 goals).

Lineups:

Ecuador: Cristian Mora, Jorge Guagua, Ulises de la Cruz, Paul Ambrossi, Geovanny Espinoza, Luis Antonio Valencia (Cristian Lara, 63rd), Edwin Tenorio, Marlon Ayovi (Patricio Urrutia, 68th), Edison Mendez, Felix Borja (Cristian Benitez, 46th), Ivan Kaviedes.

Germany: Jens Lehmann, Arne Friedrich, Robert Huth, Per Mertesacker, Philipp Lahm, Torsten Frings (Tim Borowski, 66th), Bernd Schneider (Gerald Asamoah, 73rd), Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose (Oliver Neuville, 66th), Lukas Podolski.