Hummels blow for Germans in key Sweden showdown

SOCHI, Russia: Germany central defender Mats Hummels is unlikely to feature in their second World Cup Group F game against Sweden today after hurting his neck in training, Germany coach Joachim Low said.

The world champions, who suffered a shock opening loss to Mexico, must avoid another defeat which could see them crash out at the group stage for the first time in 80 years.

“Mats Hummels will most likely not be able to play because he injured his neck in training yesterday and it has not improved until today,” Low said in Sochi yesterday.

“He has not trained and obviously there are still a few hours, but usually these things do not improve considerably overnight and tomorrow we need fit players. I think it makes no sense (for him to play).”

A likely replacement for Hummels is Antonio Rudiger but Low said he would wait until today to see Hummels’ condition.

Sweden are joint top of the group after beating South Korea in their opener, and victory over Germany would almost certainly see them advance to the knockout stage. Mexico, also on three, play South Korea in the other group match.

The opening defeat has caused shockwaves back home in Germany and Low said that was understandable.

“It was no doubt a painful defeat against Mexico. We made many mistakes but we have processed them, talked about them and trained to avoid them.”

“There is absolute focus and concentration and tomorrow we must deliver. There will be a reaction (to the Mexico defeat).”

Low said forward Mario Gomez was likely to start but did not clarify if he would join Timo Werner in attack or if he would operate as a lone striker against the tall Swedish defenders.

Low, however, ruled out the team overhaul which many German fans have called for, saying trust for his players, many of them 2014 World Cup winners, had not been lost.

“Why should that be the case? The fundamental trust for these players, who have played for years on a good level, will not be destroyed with one game,” the 58-year-old said.

Sweden’s preparations may have been hit by illness and injury but team captain Andreas JUNE 23

Italia 90 will forever be remembered for the magic of Cameroon and it was on this day that the Indomitable Lions became the first African country to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. And it was that grand old man Roger Milla once again who did the trick.

Having earlier scored a brace from the bench against Romania in the group stage, the 38-yearold produced yet another supersub showing against Colombia in the round of 16.

Milla scored two goals, one of which he dispossessed Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higuita to slot home and then treat the world to that famous dance of his at the corner flag.

This was a day never to be forgotten for Africa at the World Cup. Matshelane Mamabolo Granqvist still believes his side can score a first competitive win over Germany since 1958 to send the defending champions home early.

While fans back home celebrated the traditional Swedish holiday of Midsummer’s Eve with pickled herring and snaps yesterday, some members of the national team are struggling to be fit to face the Germans.

Defenders Pontus Jansson and Filip Helander and midfielder Marcus Rohden all missed the final training session due to a stomach bug, and they will travel to Sochi today.

Striker Isaac Kiese Thelin also missed the session as he is carrying a knock that may limit his participation. – Reuters

Belgium v Tunisia (2pm SA time kick-off); South Korea v Mexico (5pm); Germany v Sweden (8pm)

England v Panama (2pm); Japan v Senegal (5pm); Poland v Colombia (8pm)

Uruguay v Russia, Saudi Arabia v Egypt (both 4pm); Spain v Morocco, Iran v Portugal (both 8pm)