KLOSE CLOSE
The fact that Miroslav Klose could become the top all-time scorer in World Cup history won't influence Germany coach Joachim Loew.
Klose, the 36-year-old forward, has 14 goals in 19 World Cup matches, just one short of Brazil's Ronaldo.
But Loew said that this does not automatically mean he would play Klose in Brazil.
The record "is very important for the team and him personally," Loew said. "But as a coach, those statistics are secondary and do not mean he would be included in the lineups."
Klose is the only classic forward on the German team. But Loew has been favoring a "false nine" system, with attacking midfielders taking on the role of scorers, in the likes of Thomas Mueller and Mario Goetze.
FOND FAREWELL
Several hundred Brazilian fans waited hours Sunday to greet the national team as it left for the match against Mexico in the northeastern city of Fortaleza.
Many dressed in the green and yellow colors of Brazil, the fans gathered outside the team's training camp to show their support to the players. The crowd waved flags frantically and chanted as the bus carrying the squad passed by.
Some tried to take photos of their favorite players.
Fans had to wait outside the gates because they are not allowed to enter the team's training camp in the mountainous city of Teresopolis, located about an hour away from Rio de Janeiro.
More than 15 vehicles followed the Brazilian delegation in the trip to Rio's airport, including some belonging to police and even the army.
Brazil will play Mexico on Tuesday.
