Forget the stress, enjoy: Lehmann tells Germans

Berlin: German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has urged his teammates to try and enjoy the World Cup and forget the pressure the hosts are under to win the competition.

Germany kick off the World Cup on June 9 against Costa Rica in Munich and the pressure is on the three-time winners to deliver in front of their demanding public. “We all need to enjoy and not think about the huge pressure,” Lehmann said at Germany’s Swiss training camp in Geneva.

“It is fun to play in the big games. Quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals have a unique atmosphere to them. I am convinced we can go on a good run with this team and land the
ultimate prize.” 

The 36-year-old Lehmann starts as Germany’s number one goalkeeper after winning his battle with Oliver Kahn and insists his traumatic experience with Arsenal in last week’s Champions League final will not affect him.