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UEFA Cup: German club Mainz cautious of the wind in Iceland [Thu Aug 25th, 2005]
Bundesliga side Mainz are going to throw caution to the wind in a bid to claim their place in the draw for the first round of the UEFA Cup when they travel to Iceland to face IB Keflavik.
Jurgen Klopp's side have a 2-0 advantage from the first leg and the Mainz coach believes his side are in a "more than comfortable position" ahead of the second leg.
"We are going to look for goals while making sure we don't neglect our defensive duties," he said.
The only problem Klopp foresees is the weather, which could be a leveller for the home side, who go into the game as underdogs.
"We need to be prepared for it," added Klopp. "It can be really windy."
Mainz general manager Christian Heidel is prepared for only one thing: victory for his side and a place in the draw for the first round in Monaco.
Instead of joining the team in Iceland, Heidel is heading directly for UEFA headquarters confident it won't be a wasted trip when the draw is made.
"The flight connections don't allow me to be in Iceland on Thursday night and then the Cote d'Azur on Friday morning," he said. "I hope it is worth it."
But the German side's preparations have hardly been ideal with Niclas Weiland, Tamas Bodog and Ranisav Jovanovic all missing training earlier in the week. All three have made the trip to Iceland, however, and Klopp hopes to have at least one available for selection.
PA Sport
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