Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann has won the race to keep goal for hosts Germany at the 2006 World Cup finals, the German Football Federation (DFB) announced today.
The question over who out of Lehmann and Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn should keep goal for the hosts in the World Cup has dominated the sporting news in Germany for two years, ever since coach Jurgen Klinsmann adopted a controversial rotation policy in the position.
"That was the toughest decision of my career," said Klinsmann who was appointed to the post in July 2004.
Kahn, who was voted player of the tournament at the last World Cup in Japan and South Korea in 2002 - the first time a goalkeeper has netted the accolade, cast doubts over his international future after Klinsmann's revelation.
"I am very surprised and hugely disappointed by this decision," the Bayern captain said. "I will reflect on my international future over the next few weeks," added the 36-year-old who has 84 caps to his name.
Lehmann, also 36, has been capped 29 times and Tuesday declared himself "hopeful" of securing the number one jersey, despite Kahn insisting last month that he had been given assurances by Klinsmann.
Kinsmann adopted a rotation policy over the goalkeeping position in a bid to appease his two head-strong stoppers who both elieved they should be their country's number one. The policy served only to irritate both men, although neither was willing to be confined permanently to the bench.
In recent weeks, public opinion in Germany had favoured Lehmann who is in fine form for his club side as they embark on a thrilling Champions League venture that sees them tackling Villarrel of Spain later this month for a place in the final.
Kahn, on the other hand, has made some recent high-profile and costly blunders, including gifting a goal to bottom-of-the-table Cologne in a weekend 2-2 draw in Munich, an embarrassing result for the league's pace-setters.
