Oliver Bierhoff hopes Germany s players can benefit from previewing a major Euro 2012 venue when they meet the Ukraine in Kiev.
After topping qualifying Group A with a 100 percent record, Germany are among the favourites for next year s European Championships in Poland and the Ukraine.
Head coach Joachim Loew is expected to field several inexperienced players in Friday s international friendly at the redeveloped Olympic Stadium.
And team manager Bierhoff thinks the trip could give Germany an advantage as they look to go one better than their defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2008.
We re very happy to be here in Ukraine, one of the co-hosts of Euro 2012, he said.
We ve been looking forward to this match simply because it s a great opportunity for our young team to get their first impression of the country, as well it being a good test on the pitch, in front of what will surely be a full house against a tough Ukrainian team.
Bierhoff is also hopeful Borussia Dortmund star Mario Goetze will be fit to start the match in Kiev, alongside Real Madrid s Mesut Oezil.
It s looking good for Mario at the moment, we have one training session before the match so we ll see afterwards finally whether he s able to play or not, he said.
We hope that he can play of course, because his form in the last year or so in the Bundesliga, in the Champions League and in the national team has been excellent.
He s becoming a great striker.
With regular skipper Philipp Lahm rested and vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger out with a broken collarbone, Germany are yet to decide who will lead the team against the Ukraine.
As for the captain for the match, Joachim Loew will announce that tomorrow, Bierhoff said.
We ask for your understanding with this seeing as Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are both absent, and he needs to talk to the relevant players who may fill the role.
