Euro-Ball will produce spectacular goals, says Frings

By Kevin Fylan

TENERO, Switzerland (Reuters) - Goalkeepers have been complaining about the unpredictable flight of the Euro 2008 ball but outfield players could not be happier with it, Germany midfielder Torsten Frings said on Saturday.

Frings is renowned for trying his luck from distance and the 31-year-old predicted a series of spectacular goals at the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

"Us outfield players love the ball," Frings said at a news conference, the day before Germany's Group B opener against Poland in Klagenfurt. "It's fantastic.

"I think we're going to see a lot of goals scored from distance because if you hit it right it really flies."

Germany's Jens Lehmann has been among the critics of the EUROPASS ball, saying it is difficult to judge in the air.

"It is hard for keepers but Jens has had three weeks in training to get used to it," Frings said. "I'm sure he'll manage."

Frings scored Germany's final goal in their 4-2 win over Costa Rica in the opening match of the last World Cup.

He was so pleased with the ball that he took it home with him but he revealed on Saturday that it does not exactly have pride of place in the Frings household.