Jens Lehmann will serve as Germany's number one goalkeeper ahead of Robert Enke at Euro 2008, goalkeepering coach Andreas Kopke has confirmed.

The decision leaves Bayer Leverkusen Rene Adler as the third choice, meaning he will only make the bench in case of injury, despite his status as Germany's goalkeeper of the future.

"Jens is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe when he is in top form and I'm sure we will get him there," said Kopke.

"The lads have got to present themselves well and show who is the best."

Kopke defended Lehmann, who attracted criticism for his comments about the ball which is being used at Euro 2008.

Lehmann attacked the ball after a poor outing in the recent 2-2 draw with Belarus, with many seeing his comments as nothing more than an excuse.

But after Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech made similar remarks, Kopke believes there is substance to the argument.

"It is certainly a special ball," he said.

"Not only Jens Lehmann has mentioned it, but many other goalkeepers too."

And while the ball may be the goalkeeper's nemesis, it could be the best friend of players with a refined shooting technique.

"If you hit it right, then it really does fly and I think we are going to see a lot of goals from distance," said midfielder Torsten Frings.

Before flying out on Saturday for Klagenfurt, the venue for their opening Euro 2008 fixture against Poland on Sunday, Frings also spoke of the general condition of the squad, and where he sees his place.

"We have trained very hard and very frequently and I believe we will be fit when it matters," he said.

"I think I am one of those players who belong to the starting XI, but deciding who plays where is not my task.

"I just know that for me it has always been clear that I will be playing."

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