IN THE MIXED ZONE - (Yokohama , Japan)  - June 30, 2002

Immediately follwing the World Cup finals (Match 64 - Germany vs Brazil), the players and officials were interviewed and/or gave statements in the "Mix-Zone" area.  We have included the flash interview comments and statements below.

MZ studio comments from SCOLARI (BRA), coach

On the first thing that comes to mind on winning the World Cup after seven tough matches): I feel happiness and joy, probably the same joy that the people of Brazil are probably feeling right now. The joy of knowing that we did our job, a job that took a lot of hard work and we feel the merit of winning all seven of our matches. It is a historical moment as Brazil is back as the World Champion and is simply the result of very hard work.

(On the secret to Brazil winning this World Cup): Basically, the key was the way the players concentrated on one main objective to win the World Cup. The team has been feeling the support of the Brazilian people in order to get to this point. I watched the players come together as one from all their dedication.

(On answering all the criticism from Brazil before you left for the World Cup): I believe the best thing we did was to put JUNINHO PAULISTA in the offensive midfield, in order to have a group of strikers that would bring more goals and to have superiority on our opponents. Because of this we regained some respect which we lost during the qualifying matches. By bringing in JUNINHO PAULISTA it forced the opponents to respect us more. Once we succeeded in the first round it was just a question fixing something here and something there. The defence of Brazil was not that bad - we have in my opinion the best defence in the world, because we have technical superiority. We have the ability to control the ball and pass out of the back.

(On the pressure of having to win): Finishing second in Brazil is like finishing last, and I tried to pass that feeling onto the players. I told the players that they had to be consistent, play well, have fun and win. In order to do that we always knew that finishing second would be like finishing last. Finishing first is a marvellous feeling, I want to thank the people of Brazil and say that don't forget the images of the team playing enjoyable football, winning and bringing the cup back home.

(On his thoughts for the country of Brazil): I want to thank the Brazilian people, I want to say that you touched our team very much. We will celebrate together, I want to say to my family that I miss them very much and to my son ... we are five time World champions.

(Analysis of the match): Germany played as expected, they play powerful football and a strong system. The difference between the two teams was the individual skill of the Brazilian players. That was the key factor to which helped Brazil win.

Flash interview comments from Ronaldo (BRA), FW

(On his feelings after winning the World Cup and scoring two goals): I want to thank every member of our squad. I fought for two years to overcome my injury and I am very glad to have scored both the goals and help bring the fifth World Cup back to Brazil. I want to thank my family for all their support.

MZ podium comments from RONALDO (BRA), F

(On whether the win has sunk in yet): Slowly I'm starting to understand what's happening - it takes time. I am so happy. I'm very happy, I'm very touched. I think we played a great game, we brought joy to millions of people and I think it will take some time for me to see and figure out what happened. I'm sure it will all be surrounded with happiness.

(On whether he thought in his wildest dreams he would score two goals in a World Cup): It's the wildest dream. I haven't had the time to think about it. It's so marvellous. I am so happy, I want to thank God, my family, but above all I want to thank someone who is not here today, [my physiotherapist], who made me play.

(On reaching Pele's mark of 12 goals in World Cup matches, and whether he will now focusing on beating Gerd MULLER's (GER) 14 goals): I think that having the World Cup now in my hands, that I did a few moments ago, is one of the most wonderful moments I could ever dream of. But all of what happens to me now - the goal records or being world champion personally - would never happen if I didn't have the group with me. This group is marvellous. This group is a fighting group and there is nothing that can go beyond any individual victory. I am going to celebrate a lot, and I know that new objectives, new goals are going to come. I am a very ambitious person and I will go for it.

(On what is better, being World Champion or going 40 days or more without sex): Both are very hard to stay without, and I am sure that sex would not be so rewarding as the World Cup. Sex I am going to do in a few moments, but nothing can be so rewarding as the World Cup. But, not that sex is not good, but you see, a World Cup every four years, sex is not.

(On comparing his performance in 1998 to this one in 2002): I didn't have any debt with the Brazilian people. I did not have any feeling that I owed them from 1998.

(On whether he would want to be involved in winning the only title Brazil have yet to win - the Olympic gold medal): As I said, I am very ambitious. I want to celebrate. I want to have all the pleasure of celebrating this situation. Of course, if there is going to be a rule of players beyond the age of 23 [at an Olympic tournament], definitely I want to be there.

MZ Comments from MARCOS (BRA), GK

(On his role in Brazil's victory): I am very glad that it is all over and that we have now won. Brazilians are inclined to get very upset when we lose a match or when we play badly. The defenders usually get all the fingers pointed at them and people blame us for failure. If a striker misses 10 chances but eventually scores a goal or two, he is a hero. So it is very difficult for a Brazilian to play as a defender.

MZ comments from ROBERTO CARLOS (BRA), DF

(On Brazil's victory): The victory is very important for the Brazilian people. It wasn't an easy match because they played defensively, but we played technically [and won].

(On his feelings before the game): It was necessary to be mentally strong because all the teams [in this tournament] had strong defence. Ours has received much criticism.

(On his feelings about winning): I can't believe we have won. This is fantastic. This moment is the most fantastic moment of my life.

(On why Brazil won): The secret of our success was the our team spirit and unity and the respect we had for each other as players. It was good for our football to have this respect and it brought out the best of our game again. And this also renewed the respect [of others] for our yellow jersey of Brazil.

(On the Brazilian team spirit): We realised in this tournament that our group unity is much more important than individuality.

MZ comments from RIVALDO (BRA), MF

(On Brazil's performance): I think I played my usual game. I assume that in Brazil there are great celebrations and people are overjoyed. What is most important is that Brazil had a very good team spirit which helped to win the Cup for us. I would also like to say thank you to people back home in Brazil.

MZ comments from CAFU (BRA), DF

(On his personal achievement - 3rd appearance in a final): This is the second World Cup Final winning team that I have played in, the other was in 1994. I feel I still have a chance to go on and win yet another title with Brazil. So far only Pele has achieved this.

(On Brazil's performance): I feel we fought very well but, more importantly, we enjoyed ourselves.

MZ studio comments from Rudi VOELLER (GER), coach

(On the achievements of the German team): We've got to be happy with what we've achieved here in this World Cup. First of all we survived our group matches. We played well at times and we owe a lot to Oliver KAHN who did some fantastic things. We didn't always play as well as we did at times today, but we have to be happy, particularly when you take into account how many injured players we've had during the course of this tournament.

(On the match): We did very well, particularly in the first half hour. We felt that we had the game under control in the first 30 minutes or so. We created a number of chances, but as the game went on we saw more and more of Brazil achieving what they had done in so many other games so far in this World Cup - showing their individual class. They're so strong in one-on-one situations, one-two's, quick one-twos, quick inter-passing between each other, and as we went on we found that really was creating more difficulties.

(On the second half): We began the second half very well, but this time in contrast to previous games, we didn't manage to get that decisive first goal and put ourselves into the lead and be able to take real control of the game. As the game went on we have to say that our players looked more and more tired - it really began to show. Especially against the Brazilian forwards who are so fast on the ball, so good on the ball, so strong on the ball, working with each other all the time. The whole of the [German] team had to be constantly on the watch out for these individual skills, these flashes of individual brilliance and you've got to say that Brazil are a wonderful team.

(On Brazil being the new world champions): There is no doubt about it, Brazil deserve to be world champions. They showed it not just today but in other games as well. They're very good, very strong going forward. They're a tough team for anybody to play. They're big, they're fast, they have a good goalkeeper, and we can only pay them a compliment as world champions.

Christoph METZELDER (GER), DF

(On Germany's performance in the World Cup): First of all I want to congratulate Brazil. We have lost the game but had a great match. I haven't spoken to (goalkeeper Oliver) KAHN yet, so I don't know what he has to say.

(On playing against a great team such as Brazil): We had many chances but lost from a simple mistake. It was too bad the ball hit the goal post (in the 49th minute off Oliver NEUVILLEe's free kick). If it had been a goal, we could have won the match.

(On his feelings now the World Cup is ended): I don't feel too much of anything.

MZ Comments from Carsten RAMELOW (GER), MF

(On Germany's performance): Germany played better than Brazil and could have actually won. We are very disappointed and sad.

(On the German team's mood after the 2-0 defeat): The dressing room was very quiet and we felt very drained and empty.

(On Oliver KAHN's performance): Oliver must have been very disappointed [about the first goal], but we know that we could not have made it to the final without him.

MZ comments from Dietmar HAMANN (GER), MF

(On Germany's 2-0 defeat ): Of course we are very disappointed to have lost the game that we badly wanted to win, but we can very proud of our achievement to reach the Final.

(On Brazil's victory): I must admit that Brazil played better than we did in the second half. We tried to hold on to the ball but lost possession and RONALDO took full advantage of the opportunities that came his way.

(On Germany's future): We showed our people that we are still alive and that German football is back.

(On RONALDO's performance): He showed again what a great footballer he is. He made a great comeback from his injuries, scored the goals, and helped Brazil win the World Cup. He was largely instrumental in Brazil winning the Cup.

MZ Comments from Oliver NEUVILLE (GER), FW

(On Germany's effort): We played better in the beginning of the second half and [Brazilian goalkeeper] MARCOS made a miraculous save from my shot.

(On the Final result): I knew that whichever team could score the first would win the Final. So I tried as hard as I could, but it simply did not work out for us.

(On his personal efforts in the game): This is all very bizarre for me. Today's match was the fourth Final (competition this year) in which I have played and I have lost the lot. However, I hope that in the next Final I will be on the winning side.

MZ comments from Miroslav KLOSE (GER), FW

(On RONALDO's performance): I think he was extremely good throughout the tournament despite his previous injury and then he had a great match in the Final. He deserves to have become the top scorer of the tournament.

(On Germany's effort in reaching the Final): We made a very good start in the tournament, but as the matches went on we struck some bad luck with many of our shots at goal hitting the post. Overall, I am very content with our performance and we are proud of our second place.

(On his own performance): It was difficult to create chances. The Brazilian defence was very good and although I had half chances, eventually they came to nothing.

MZ comments from Marco BODE (GER), FW

(On today's game): We played well. The first goal decided the outcome of the game. There were good chances, but after Brazil's first goal, it became more difficult. You also felt, I think, that Brazil got confident after the first goal. Until then, we both had played evenly well.

(On whether Germany did their best): We played as best as we could. Brazil had respect for Germany. If it was Germany that made the first goal, the final result could have been different, but, that's football. We appreciated this opportunity. Brazil had one brilliant player, who virtually brought today's result.

(On the mistake): We are not frustrated. I don't call it a big mistake. In this brilliant tournament, however, we are just unlucky.

(On RONALDO's return): He must have had hard time with injury. But he is a great player, and he is a very nice person. If only he was not playing against us, we would have been happier for him.

MZ Podium comments from Oliver KAHN (GER), GK

(On whether there was any way you can be consoled): No I don't think I can be consoled. I am fully aware that this is the only mistake I made in the seven matches of the World Cup. That one mistake was brutally punished.

(After the Champions League final loss to Manchester United you didn't stop until you won the cup, will this be the same): I don't think you can compare the two, when Bayern Munich lost the Champions League we were almost there, we practically had our hands on the trophy. This match was different, and looking to the future is too hard to do tonight.

(What positive memories do you take back from this World Cup): I will not make the mistake of saying that everything was bad at this World Cup. This would not do justice to how Germany did in this World Cup. I think the team did a tremendous job. When we came to the World Cup few people thought we would survive the group stage, which we did. We came back with a vengeance ending up second place, which is impressive. We led Germany to new heights, heights that nobody thought would be possible, and we can continue to build the team for the future. I think we have put Germany and German football back to where it belongs among the top four. The memories of this World Cup will be very good and can not be destroyed by an unlucky goal.

(On his hand injury): One ligament in my ring finger is torn. It's going to take a few weeks to recover, but it's a good thing that we are going into our vacations now and I will give my body a rest.

(On what referee Pierluigi COLLINA (ITA) said to him after the match): As I said before, there is no way you can be comforted. Words of consolation have no effect in such a place. COLLINA, while he is a world-class referee, there is no doubting that he just doesn't bring us luck does he? With him we lost the Champions League Final against Manchester [United]. We lost at home to England, in that infamous 1-5 defeat. He just doesn't bring us luck. Maybe it's four times lucky next time.

(On what the deciding factors were that helped Germany reach the World Cup Final): I think the one overriding factor at this World Cup was our tremendous team spirit. Morale in the team was excellent throughout the tournament. There were no squabbles, no inflated egos, no dissent within the team and this is what helped keep us afloat throughout the tournament. The mixture of team members was very good. There were some members of the team who wanted to forget the memories of EURO 2000, whilst at the same time there were new players coming through who wanted to make a name for themselves with a view to 2006. Everything fitted together extremely well and we enjoyed the moment but that's unfortunately no guarantee that things will work out just as well in two or even four years time.

Source:  FIFAWorldCup.com

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