Germany's Loew: Goetze, Ozil to start in Kiev

Coach Joachim Loew has said midfield stars Mario Goetze and Mesut Ozil are set to start together for the first time when Germany play the Ukraine in a potentially explosive partnership in Friday's friendly. The exceptional passing skills of Real Madrid's Ozil played a key role in Germany finishing third at the 2010 World Cup, while Goetze has been in stellar form since orchestrating and scoring in the 3-2 win over Brazil last August. Kiev will host Friday's friendly and the Olympic Stadium will also be the venue for the Euro 2012 final on July 1 with Poland and the Ukraine co-hosting the tournament. "There is a leaning that both will start," said Loew when asked about the pairs role in the match. Uncapped goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler is set to make his first appearance and be given at least 45 minutes against the Ukraine with Germany to host Holland in Hamburg on Tuesday in their final game of 2011. With both Moenchengladbach midfielder Marco Reus, stomach bug, and Lazio striker Miroslav Klose, knee injury, missing the game, Loew has said he will not decide on his final line-up until the final training session on Thursday. "We have a generation of young players who are in their developing very well. They are determined and ambitious, but modest," said Loew. "Those who have been involved in the Champions League or German Cup recently won't play the full 90 minutes of both games. "I had expected both Klose and Reus would be part of the plans and that they would both start against the Ukraine, but now they will join the team on Saturday." With 112 appearances for Germany and 62 goals, Klose is just six away from Gerd Mueller's all-time record of 68 goals in 62 games for Germany and Loew said he expects Klose will be available to face Holland. "I expect that there will be no lasting problems," said Loew. "I've talked about it with our medical department. "It is an inflamed tendon in his knee, which needs just three or four days' rest." Loew says he expects the Kiev friendly will help build anticipation ahead of next year's Euro 2012 tournament. "In the Ukraine, there is a tremendous euphoria and anticipation," said Loew. "Not only for this game, but also on the tournament next year."