Waiting For His Shot

A few weeks ago, Bayern Munich celebrated the opening of its brand new Allianz Arena with a game against the national team.

In goal for Munich was, as always, Oliver Kahn. Taking advantage of Kahn's absence on the night in the national team goal was his rival Jens Lehmann. Though his side wore the black, red and gold Lehmann couldn't help but feel he was playing for arch-rival England. From the moment he entered the field, the mostly Bayern fans in the arena booed him mercilessly, and chanted insults.

Lehmann and the rest of the team were shocked.

"It's was absolutely ridiculous," said team manager Oliver Bierhoff.

"I didn't expect him to be supported. But we're the German national team, we were guests here and worked hard to fit this game into our schedule and we wanted to have a nice party," he continued. "It's unacceptable that such problems arise."

Suffering not-so-silently

That being said, the whistles were something Lehmann has gotten used to hearing. The 35-year-old has been not-so-silently suffering behind Kahn for more than three years. The Munich goalie, the number one since turning in a titanic performance at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan in 2002, has endured more than a few barbs from his competitor in goal - and has dished a few out.

Lehmann's loud calls for a fair shot at being Germany's number one have rubbed those who continue to deify Kahn the wrong way. But since Jürgen Klinsmann took over the reins of the national team in November and removed goalie coach, and Kahn supporter, Sepp Maier, Lehmann has gotten quieter - and more chances.

He stood between the posts when Germany wiped up Belgium in a 3 - 0 game, and has raised eyebrows with spectacular performances for his club team, Arsenal. It was Lehmann's goalkeeping, including his saves in a penalty shootout, that helped Arsenal beat Manchester United and claim England's Football Association Cup this year.

Getting his chance

Klinsmann has rewarded his efforts by promising to rotate goalies in this tournament. With Kahn between the posts in the first game, Lehmann gets his shot Saturday against Tunisia. Klinsmann hasn't decided who will stand in goal for the crucial end game of the first round Monday against Argentina, something that doesn't seem to bother Lehmann.

"I don't think too far in advance in soccer," said Lehmann. "I'm not really thinking about it."

But he has devoted a bit of time to thinking about how the spectators will receive him.

"If the fans don't boo me, then it will already be a success," he said, wryly.