Coach Joachim Löw has confirmed his final 23-man squad for EURO 2008 with midfielders Markus Marin and Jermaine Jones and striker Patrick Helmes missing the cut.
The three players came on during the 2nd half of the friendly against Belarus on Tuesday, but failed to impress sufficiently to make the final cut for the team. The team had let slip a 2-goal advantage during the 2nd half of the game to tie 2-2 with Belarus.
The FC Schalke 04 midfielder Jones, the 19-year-old Marin – an attacking midfielder with VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach – and Helmes, who scored 17 goals in 1. FC Köln's promotion-winning campaign, were told of the decision at 11.30 this morning and will leave the training camp later today.
“This was a very tough decision for our entire coaching staff. Each of the three players would have deserved a slot on the team.”, said Löw.
Patrick Helmes said following the decision: "Obviously I'm disappointed - it would have been great to compete at the EURO. Hopefully, I'll get another shot following this summer. Naturally, I keep my fingers crossed that the team does well at the EURO."
Jermaine Jones said: "Playing at the EURO had been my major goal. But I gave it my best shot, so I have no reason to hang my head low. Hopefully, the team does well. It would be great, if we could win the title."
Marko Marin, the youngest member of the 26-player roster, said: "Making this first step has been a great experience. I'm still young and I hope to get another chance in the future."
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