FIFA World Cup™ Germany 2006 player's profile

Miroslav Klose exploded onto the world stage as if from nowhere at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™. The rookie striker bagged a hat-trick as Germany ran out 8-0 winners over Saudi Arabia, gaining instant worldwide fame. The then 24-year-old went on to become one of the shooting stars of the tournament, finishing as Germany’s top scorer with five goals and second only to Brazil’s Ronaldo in the final standings.
Blessed with exceptional aerial ability, the tournament marked an international breakthrough for the young forward. Offers for Klose came thick and fast both at home and from abroad, but the level-headed striker remained loyal to his Palatine roots and his contract with Bundesliga club FC Kaiserslautern.

Born in Oppeln in Poland, Klose was something of a latecomer to the beautiful game despite his father Josef having played for Auxerre in France. Only when his parents moved from Poland to Germany when he was nine did the young Klose begin his career with SG Blaubach-Diedelkopf near Kaiserslautern. As a youngster trying to adapt to new surroundings and a new language, football was an ideal way of integrating to his new home. Soon, ‘Miro’ was spending most of his free time playing matches.

For a long time, Klose remained undiscovered in the amateur league, where his talent was overlooked. After a stint with FC Homburg in the third division, Klose secured a switch to the Kaiserslautern amateur team as a 22-year-old. Current Greek national coach Otto Rehhagel handed the hungry striker his first professional opportunity in the 2000/1 season. Klose made his debut against Eintracht Frankfurt before scoring his first professional goal in October 2000 against his current employers Werder Bremen.

With his exciting style, the modest and endearing Klose quickly became a fan favourite. While once he stood on the terraces at Kaiserslautern, cheering on the team, soon most of the fans were wearing his name on their shirts. His trademark somersault after every goal has earned him the nickname ‘Salto-Klose’.

International call-up
Klose’s outstanding club performances did not go unnoticed by national coach Rudi Voller, who handed the player his international debut at the beginning of 2001. "Miro has a little bit of everything. He is good in the air, strong in the tackle, he has pace, a certain guile and he likes to dribble the ball,” said Voller in praise of his striker. Klose made his international bow in the FIFA World Cup qualifier in Albania in March 2001, scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 victory. Having scored hat-tricks in the friendlies against Israel (7-1) and Austria (6-2) in the run-up to the 2002 tournament, Klose became a fixture in the German attack.

After a successful tournament in Asia, Klose’s career hit the stops. He spent the whole of the following season battling relegation with his club and his form at international level departed him. Klose saved his club from financial ruin, selling his transfer rights to a lottery company for €5m.

In the summer of 2004, the coveted striker switched to German champions Werder Bremen. After a difficult start, Klose is now equally as popular in Bremen as he was at his home club Kaiserslautern, and has forged one of the most feared strike partnerships in the league with Croatian international Ivan Klasnic.

After sitting out the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005 with a knee injury, Klose will go into the FIFA World Cup on home soil as the seasoned number one striker in the German attack, with a total of 50 international appearances now under his belt. German fans will be hoping to see another string of somersaults from the likeable Salto.

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UEFA Champions League 2005-06 player's profile

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UEFA EURO 2004™ player's profile

Miroslav Klose's crafty and carefree way of playing, as well as his speed and excellent heading qualities, have made him a favourite among German fans.

National team
The Polish-born striker's rapid rise led to his international debut on 24 March 2001 when he scored the winning goal in Germany's 2-1 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifying victory against Albania. Klose came to worldwide attention at the finals, scoring five times in Germany's first three games, including a hat-trick in their 8-0 win against Saudi Arabia. Although he failed to score again in the tournament, Klose retained his place as Germany went all the way to the final.

UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying
Rudi Völler's first-choice striker, Klose played in all eight of Germany's Group 5 fixtures. Both of his strikes were winning goals, each coming against the Faroe Islands.

Club
Five years after he was playing minor league football for SG Blaubach-Diedelkopf in the Palatinate region, Klose was starring in a World Cup. Second division FC 08 Homburg plucked him from his initial obscurity and in July 1999 he joined his beloved 1. FC Kaiserslautern's amateur team.

2000: A year later he made it into the first team and in his first 62 matches scored 25 goals, although he was less successful in 2002/03, registering nine times in 32 league appearances. Klose was also on target in the German Cup final in defeat by FC Bayern München.

2003/04: Once again involved in a battle against relegation with Kaiserslautern, Klose's ten goals in 26 games helped his club avoid the drop. Missed six weeks with a knee injury, but returned in time for 2004™.

Did you know?
Klose is the son of Josef, who played in France for AJ Auxerre in the 1970s, and Barbara, who played 82 times for the Polish national handball team.

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