Germany lose media battle

Germany have lost their first confrontation of the World Cup after complaining about journalists staying at their team hotel.

The Germans were annoyed to arrive in Sapporo from their base in Miyazaki to find some media also residing at their idyllic retreat in the hills of Hokkaido Island.

They complained to FIFA, but any hopes they harboured of their fellow guests leaving the Kitahiroshima Prince Hotel were soon extinguished by football’s world governing body.

Spokesman Andreas Herren said: ‘‘We cannot kick the journalists out if they have a reservation. They are perfectly able to stay in any hotel they wish.

‘‘Germany were unhappy that they were at the hotel, but sometimes it cannot be avoided.

‘‘They said it was a FIFA regulation that this should not happen, but that is not true.

‘‘The only thing that is stated is a recommendation to the World Cup Accommodation Bureaux that media and teams are kept apart.’’

Germany had far less contact with the media at their training session at the Sapporo Dome, the venue for their World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia.

They trained in private after the first 15 minutes, and did not speak to waiting journalists before leaving.

The German media though have already made clear their low expectations of their team’s chances of adding to the country’s haul of three World Cups.

Endres Endgar, match commentator on Germany’s ARD radio, said: ‘‘Most people think Germany will probably reach the next round, perhaps the quarter-finals, but then it will definitely be the end.

‘‘Assistant coach Michael Skibbe says they will make the final but I don’t think that will be true.’’

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia captain Sami Al Jaber is predicting more shocks like Senegal’s amazing 1-0 win over champions France in Seoul.

‘‘I think there are usually one or two teams who can qualify from a group, but at this World Cup you cannot tell,’’ said the former Wolves forward.

‘‘I think there will be lots of surprises, especially in the first round.

‘‘There will be many big names that will not qualify because now it is different. There are no strong or weak teams, there are just teams.’’

Al Jaber will be playing in his third and final World Cup after recently announcing his international retirement.

‘‘I will not retire totally but I think it is time that I stop playing international football,’’ said the 29-year-old.

‘‘I think it is right that I have chosen a World Cup for my last games because it is something that you never forget.’’