German team at and in movies

Berlin -- The German national team is going to the movies - to watch themselves.

Ahead of their next Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia on Oct 11, the team will be attending the premiere of: "Germany - a summer's tale".

The film by well-known German director Soenke Wortmann relives Germany's campaign at the World Cup.

Germany coach Joachim Loew, who was Juergen Klinsmann's assistant during the World Cup said the film was the result of a never-before-seen project. "We gave Wortmann as much access as was possible."

Two days ahead of the official start of the film, the German team will be parading on the red carpet, accompanied by a number of VIPs including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who even has a small part in the film.

The premiere of the film on the day of German unity will relive the passion and feeling of nationalism that gripped the country as the national team confounded critics by finishing third.

Former coach Klinsmann, who lives in California, sent a message in which he said he welcomed the showing of the film, which he had seen on DVD.

"I am thrilled," he said about the film that shows the World Cup campaign up close in a way in which it has never been seen before.

"We did not even notice him," said Loew about the director who was even allowed to enter the rooms of the players and film them as they were sleeping.

"I know what it is like in the change rooms, but for others it is interesting," said Bayern official and former World Cup player Karl- Heinz Rummenigge.