Fiery temperament

Germany's Sebastian Kehl (L) vies for the ball with USA's Brian McBride (R), 21 June 2002 at the Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, during quarter-final action between Germany and USA in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. AFP PHOTO/CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Germany coach Rudi Voller will have told his right back Sebastian Kehl to keep a lid on his temper during Euro 2004 after confrontations with both opponents and referees saw him heavily sanctioned at club level the preceeding season.

The national coach has been known to drop the up-and-coming Borussia Dortmund man from his squad for this excess of aggression despite his great talent.

Kehl kicked off his career in the youth team at his hometown club Borussia Fulda in 1995. After two seasons he took a step up with a switch to Hannover, who swiftly transferred him to Bundesliga rivals SC Freiburg.

Hamburg's Argentinian player Rodolfo Cardoso Esteban (L) and Dortmund player Sebastian Kehl eye the ball, during the 28th day German Bundesliga soccer match Hamburger SV against Borussia Dortmund, 12 April 2003 at the "AOL-Arena" in Hamburg. AFP PHOTO DDP/DANNY GOHLKE

He took to the top flight like a duck to water and made his international debut in May 2001 in a 2-0 win over Slovakia. His ascent to the top was complete when he moved on again to Borussia Dortmund in December, 2001 after turning down a move to Bayern Munich.

The move reaped immediate dividends as Kehl's presence in defence steadied the Dortmund ship as it cruised toward the German league title that year.

Dortmund, who attract by far the largest crowds (over 75,000 fans on average) to their stadium than any other club in Europe, also made it to the 2002 Uefa Cup final that season but were beaten by Feyenoord.

This disappointment was swept under the carpet as Kehl joined his international teammates within weeks to prepare for the World Cup.

Grade A

Sebastian Kehl, a defender for the German National soccer team, smiles as he answers a question during a press conference at a media center in Seogwipo 17 June 2002. Kehl spoke about his first World Cup match last 15 June against Paraguay. Germany won 1-0 and advanced to the quarter finals round in the 2002 FIFA Korea-Japan World Cup. AFP PHOTO Roberto SCHMIDT

At the World Cup suspensions to Carsten Ramelow and the weak form of Marko Rehmer gave him a substitute appearance in the second-round 1-0 win over Paraguay, where he had a solid game. So solid that he started in the quarter-final against the United States before Ramelow recovered his fitness.

Away from the game Kehl has a reputation for calm and if he is an intelligent footballer this should be little surprise in view of his solid grades at school.

But on the pitch his emotions spill over and often to costly effect as Dortmund discovered in the 2003 season with elimination from both the Champions League and then the UEFA Cup while he was out suspended for his tom-foolery.

If Kehl is to shoulder the kind of resonsibility that makes good players into the leaders that win tournaments, his temper will have to be conquered.

Then perhaps Germany will have an easier task negotiating their way out of the group of death that awaits them in Portugal with Holland, the Czech Republic and Latvia as adversaries.