World Champions, Germany on Monday warned that despite young players in their ranks they will be giving time to opponents to produce surprising results in the elite six nation champions trophy hockey tournament commencing here from December 4 at National Stadium. "No doubt we have young players in our team but despite this factor our team is fully capable of causing surprises and to give tough fight to respective rivals", said German captain, Philip Crone upon the arrival of the 24-member party here which includes 19 players and four officials.
The German captain termed the tournament tough and said all the teams are equally balanced which makes the event thrilling and competitive.
"Our young team is all set to produce surprises and we look forward to an interesting event with high hopes and spirit", he said.
Coach Bernhard Peters said the first two encounters of his side against hosts Pakistan and Holland are very tough and of great importance and their outcomings would determine their further chances in the event. "Our team would go all out to fetch desired results to have a good beginning".
"It (German) is a new side and if we finish fourth we will be more than happy and contended for accomplishing our target", he said.
"Champions Trophy is never an easy tournament, it is always tough and all the teams work on special tactics and strategies to see their dreams coming true for reaching the victory podium", he observed.
Answering a question, he termed defending champion, Holland and hosts Pakistan the toughest sides and Dutch side is very organised in all aspects of the game where as Pakistan has the added advantage of home ground and crowd.
The4 German side reached Lahore five hours behind schedule due to flight delay and was received at the airport by the former Pakistan captain, Manzoor Junior, Olympian Rana Mujahid, international player, Ajaml Hameed Butt and President
Lahore District hockey association, Khalid Rasool Chaudhary.
The players and officials were profusely garlanded and they were given a warm welcome on their arrival.
Following is the squad: Ulrich Bubolz, Max Weinhold, Ulrich Klaus, Philip Crone (captain), Eike Duckwitz, Carlos Nevado Gonzales, Christian Wein, Christoph Menke, Maik Guenther, Niklas Meinert, Till Kriwet, Benedikt Sperling, Michael Purps, Florian Keller, Oliver Hentschel Jan-Marco Montag, Nicolas Emmerling and Christian Kurtz.
(Officials), Bernhard Peters (coach), Andreas Hoeppner (manager), Dieter Schuermann (stand in manager), Andreas Papenfuss (team doctor).