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Germany's soccer team under fire

German newspapers and commentators heaped scorn on the national soccer team, saying the world was laughing at them following their humilating 2-0 defeat by the United Sstates in the Confederations Cup.

Friday's defeat for the European champions followed a 4-0 trouncing by Brazil last week.

''How could Germany embarass itself like that?'' asked Welt Am Sonntag across the top of its front page yesterday. ''The world is laughing at German soccer now.''

The paper's soccer columnist Udo Lattek called the two defeats in three matches a ''debacle'' and said the consequences would be enormous.

''Our players didn't play with each other, but instead alongside each other,'' Lattek wrote. ''Why can't they enjoy the game the way the Americans did? The deeper causes lie in our German mentality. We Germans are far too serious, forget about having fun when we play.''

Lattek said coach Erich Ribbeck should consider quitting.

But Ribbeck said that as disappointing as the defeat was, he would decide later whether he would extend his two-year contract.

''I'll decide when the time comes,'' he said. ''I'm not thinking about that right now. At the moment the only thing that matters is European Championship qualification. If we don't achieve that then they are going to chop my head off.''

The Berliner Morgenpost newspaper said Ribbeck had lost all authority with the team and added that the defeat was the worst in recent history.

''Humilation,'' the paper wrote. ''End of a soccer power.''

The Morgenpost said the incompetence and arrogance that accompanied some of Germany's most humilating defeats in the past were becoming visible again.

''German soccer is now standing before the ruins,'' it wrote.

Germany's former coach Franz Beckenbauer warned the team were in danger of falling into a hole and would no longer be as feared by opponents.

''We have to watch out that no one starts feeling sorry for us,'' Beckenbauer said. ''We've got to be careful now.''

But Beckenbauer tried to look at the bright side. He said the team's humbling could help win support for Germany's bid to host the 2006 World Cup.

''We've opened the gate a bit for 2006 because we've become a bit more likeable now,'' Beckenbauer said.

Another former national trainer, Berti Vogts, said the German virtues such as engagement and fight were missing. ''The motor won't start if there's no fuel on hand.''

The Sunday tabloid Bild Am Sonntag said the whole world was laughing at Germany. ''The German failures have returned to Frankfurt from a trip that ended with a huge embarrassment,'' wrote columnist Wilfried Pastors.

He said they played like a bunch of ''losers'' against the Americans and seemed to have their suitcases already packed for the trip home.

''Opponents are no longer going to respect Germany the way they once did -- that was once a huge advantage for German teams,'' Pastors said. ''These days Germany is being dominated and laughed at.''

UNI