...Brazilians head the selection
FRANKFURT, Germany - Bayern Munich's Samuel Kuffour was selected in an All-Star selection of foreign Bundesliga players to challenge the German national team in a charity match later this month.
The All-Star selection was picked by fans. The Dec. 16 match in Schalke's Arena will raise money for the victims of the massive floods in Germany earlier this year.
Five Brazilians led by Bayern Munich striker Giovane Elber made the list. Elber has 10 goals this season. Ailton, Werder Bremen's Brazilian (news - web sites) striker who leads the Bundesliga with 12 goals, is also in the selection, along with another Brazilian striker, Borussia Dortmund's Ewerthon.
The other two Brazilians Hertha Berlin's mercurial midfielder Marcelinho and Stuttgart defender Marcello Bordon.
Three Czechs were picked — Tomas Rosicky and Jan Koller of Borussia Dortmund and Tomas Ujfalusi of Hamburger SV.
German coach Rudi Voeller will announce his roster next week.
"We are going to play with our best team," Voeller said Monday. "They will all postpone their vacations."
The All-Star team deserves respect, Voeller said.
The All-Stars will be coached by Huub Stevens, the Dutch coach of Hertha Berlin.
Tickets sales have been slow, though. Only 15,000 tickets have been sold, while the Schalke Arena can hold about 60,000.
The All-Star roster, with nationalities.
Goalkeepers: Gabor Kiraly (Hertha Berlin/Hungary), Tomislav Piplica (Energie Cottbus/Bosnia).
Defenders: Jeff Strasser (Borussia Moenchengladbach/Luxembourg), Sammy Kuffour (Bayern Munich/Ghana), Frank Verlaat (Werder Bremen/Netherlands), Niels Oude Kamphuis (Schalke/Netherlands), Tomas Ujfalusi (Hamburger SV/Czech Republic), Marcello Bordon (Stuttgart/Brazil), Diego Placente (Bayer Leverkusen/Argentina).
Midfielders: Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund/Czech Republic), Marcelinho (Hertha Berlin/Brazil), Krasimir Balakov (Stuttgart/Bulgaria), Christian Poulsen (Schalke /Denmark), Yildiray Bastuerk (Bayer Leverkusen/Turkey).
Forwards: Giovane Elber (Bayern Munich/Brazil), Ebbe Sand (Schalke /Denmark), Jan Koller (Borussia Dortmund/Czech Republic, Ailton (Werder Bremen/Brazil), Ewerthon (Borussia Dortmund/Brazil).
Coach: Huub Stevens (Hertha Berlin/Netherlands).
