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 DORTMUND, Germany (AP) - It's only an exhibition soccer match, with the undermanned United States squad as the opponent. Still, Germany is filled with angst.
German fans, stinging from a 4-1 loss to Italy, are antsy heading into Wednesday's World Cup warmup against the Americans. So Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann and his players — who have been heavily criticized on several fronts — are treating the game in bumblebee-colored Signal Iduna Park as more than a prep match.
"It's a very important game for us," said German forward Michael Ballack, who scored the goal that eliminated the United States from the 2002 tournament. "It's a decisive game for our confidence, for the mood in the team."
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