Three Werder Bremen players have been nominated for German coach Jürgen Klinsmann's 23 man squad - Torsten Frings, Tim Borowski and Miroslav Klose. The big surprise was the exclusion of Patrick Owomoyela from the selection.

At the Bremen club the news was taken with an element of wonder: Head coach Thomas Schaaf: "Jürgen Klinsmann informed of his decision this morning. Until that point we'd been pretty convinced that we would be sending a quartet from Werder to the World Cup. Of course we are happy for anyone called into the side. Owo is bitterly disappointed, he'd worked very hard to reach his goal."

General manager Klaus Allofs also commented on the choice of the DFB trainer team: "To be honest, alongside the others, Owo was always just on the edge of the World Cup squad. Still this squad is quite a surprise. It's been a real shock for Owo. From everything that we, or he, had heard until now hinted towards his participation. We spoke to those in charge last during our Bundesliga game against Schalke - about Owo. Then everyone was satidfied with his development."

Those responsible at Werder were both surprised and distinctly critical of the decisions taken: "I can't understand why players have been selected, who to a degree had a good season, but don't play for clubs such as Werder who are up to such lofty tasks. Patrick Owomoyela played almost every game for us in the Champions League, was always involved in the title race and was on a level with the best of late. It's exactly the same situation for Schalkes Kevin Kuranyi."

On the whole German squad Klaus Allofs commented: "After every World Cup or Euro Championships nomination there has always been a national debate. It's always been based around one or two individuals. I can't ever remember surprises of this magnitude. When you look at those selected up front you have to ask if you've read it correctly. My squad would have been very different."