Ziege: I won't let Germany down

Christian Ziege has vowed to impress coach Rudi Voller following his late call-up to represent Germany at the European Championships.

The 32-year-old, who has been released by Tottenham, had looked destined to miss out this summer until Christian Rahn was forced to withdraw from Voller’s squad because of a thigh muscle injury.

Ziege, capped 71 times by Germany but not since the 2002 World Cup final, will now be looking to put himself in the shop window.

“I had said that I would walk to Porto in order to be at the European Championships,” said Ziege on his personal website, www.christianziege.de.

“And I hadn’t given up hope to sneak into the squad, but because the time would go so quickly, I couldn’t count on it.

“Now all my plans are out of the window and I travelled immediately to the training camp.

“What a day. I am overjoyed.

“I will not disappoint Rudi Voller and the squad.”

Ziege’s spell at White Hart Lane was marred by serious injury but he added: “It’s just as well that I kept myself fit after the end of the season.”