Soccer-Euro-Lehmann predicts ball trouble for keepers

TENERO, Switzerland, June 4 (Reuters) - The ball being used at Euro 2008 will cause problems for goalkeepers, Germany's Jens Lehmann said on Wednesday.

"We'll see goals scored here that wouldn't have gone in with other balls," Lehmann told a news conference. "You have to be very brave to go up for a catch with this ball. It moves very fast.

"You think it's going to drop but it doesn't. It just goes on. I think punching will be a safer option."

Lehmann, expected to start Germany's opening Group B game against Poland in Klagenfurt on Sunday, was also one of several keepers to complain about the ball used at the 2006 World Cup, saying it moved too much in the air and got too slippery.

The build-up to big tournaments is often dominated by keepers worrying about new balls which are brought out especially for the events.

The official Euro 2008 ball, EUROPASS, is made by Adidas and has a new surface structure which the manufacturers say creates more swerve.

Italy's reserve keeper Marco Amelia also complained about EUROPASS last week.

"It changes direction. To not make a mess trying to stop it, it's better to beat it away," Amelia told Italy's La Repubblica Web site (www.repubblicca.it).

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)