Injuries concern Bierhoff

The build-up to Euro 2008 must start now, Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff said Monday, warning that injuries could undermine his team's chances of success in the June 7 to 29 tournament.
"The current situation leaves me a little worried," said Bierhoff. "There are so many players who are, or who have been, injured. For some, they have to start from scratch."
For Wednesday's friendly international game against Austria here, coach Joachim Loew has been unable to call up Torsten Frings, Christoph Metzelder and Marcell Jansen.
Captain Michael Ballack will play against Austria, fresh from returning from 10 months on the sidelines with a serious ankle injury. Bierhoff also issued a rallying cry to German footballers and clubs alike.
"It's all a bit quiet at the moment, we must be careful not to go to sleep, we must pick it up," said Bierhoff, who scored the goal that ensured Germany victory in the Euro 1996 final.
"Preparations for the Euro have started; I hope that everyone will fully understand this warning. It would be a terrible mistake to go into the tournament too relaxed."
Since becoming the first country to qualify for Euro 2008, Germany has been installed as one of the bookkeepers' favourites to win European football's showpiece tournament.
Loew's team has been drawn in Group B alongside Austria, Poland and Croatia. "The level of an European Championships is higher than that of a World Cup and from the first round," warned Bierhoff.