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Football

Zebina receives World Cup call-up


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Zebina switched from Roma to Juventus this season
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Raymond Domenech
Juergen Klinsmann

PARIS, France -- France coach Raymond Domenech has called up Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina for the first time, in his squad for next month's World Cup Group Four qualifiers against Ireland and Cyprus.

Domenech, still seeking the right formula for a new-look French team, opted for the 26-year-old Zebina, who joined Juventus from AS Roma this season.

Zebina was called up by Roger Lemerre as a last-minute replacement for a match against Spain in 2001 but did not play.

For the Ireland game at the Stade de France on October 9 and the Cyprus match the following Wednesday, Domenech must find midfield solutions following the retirements of Zinedine Zidane and Claude Makelele. Benoit Pedretti and Jerome Rothen are injured.

Domenech recalled AS Roma's Olivier Dacourt and Rio Mavuba of Girondins Bordeaux, the Angola-born midfielder who recently obtained French citizenship.

Olympique Marseille striker Peguy Luyindula lost his place to Sidney Govou, who could join forces with his Olympique Lyon team mate Sylvain Wiltord.

Germans pick Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker of Hanover 96 and Aston Villa's Thomas Hitzlsperger received their first call-ups in Germany's 20-player squad for next week's friendly in Iran.

But goalkeeper Oliver Kahn is among those who will not make the trip to Teheran for the October 9 match.

Coach Juergen Klinsmann said that the 20-year-old defender Mertesacker deserved the nomination after strong showings for Hanover and Germany's under-21 team.

"Mertesacker is a huge talent in defense. He is very calm for his age," said Klinsmann.

He said that Hitzlsperger was developing very well in England. "He is used to a fast-paced game and can generate a lot of pressure from midfield."

The Bayern Munich captain Kahn will be rested, Arsenal's Jens Lehmann deputizing between the posts while Timo Hildebrand of VfB Stuttgart goes on the bench.

"The test in Teheran is an important experience for us. Some 100,000 football-crazy fans await us. It will an important experience for our youngsters to make their presence felt in such an atmosphere," said Klinsmann.

The Iran game marks Klinsmann's third since taking over from Rudi Voeller following the winless Euro 2004 disaster. He started in August with a 3-1 win in Austria and the team then drew 1-1 with Brazil in early September.


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