World champions Brazil will face European champions Greece in the group stage of the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Monday’s draw put Brazil in Group B with Japan, Mexico and Greece while Germany are joined in Group A by Tunisia and Australia plus Argentina.
“We’re delighted to be pitted against Brazil,” said Greece coach Otto Rehhagel after the draw made in the Alte Oper opera.
“Brazil are the standard everything is measured by. It’s going to be a highlight. We’ve already showed nothing is impossible.”
Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann said he was looking forward to playing competitive matches.
“It’s going to be a good audition for the World Cup for us,” said Klinsmann, whose team qualify for the World Cup as hosts.
“We’re trying to improve with each friendly. We’re happy to be in the opening match against Australia. They have a good team, with good players all over Europe, especially in the (English) Premier League.”
Group A
1. Germany
2. Australia
3. Argentina
4. Tunisia
GROUP B
1. Brazil
2. Greece
3. Japan
4. Mexico
Fixtures (times GMT):
June 15
Group A
Argentina v Tunisia (1600) Cologne
Germany v Australia (1845) Frankfurt
June 16
Group B
Japan v Mexico (1600) Hanover
Brazil v Greece (1845) Leipzig
June 18
Group A
Germany v Tunisia (1600) Cologne
Australia v Argentina (1845) Nuremberg
June 19
Group B
Mexico v Brazil (1600) Hanover
Greece v Japan (1845) Frankfurt
June 21
Group A
Australia v Tunisia (1845) Leipzig
Argentina v Germany (1845) Nuremberg
June 22
Group B
Greece v Mexico (1845) Frankfurt
Japan v Brazil (1845) Cologne
Semi-finals
June 25
Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B (1600) Nuremberg
June 26
Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A (1600) Hanover
June 29
Third place match (1600) Leipzig
Final (1845) Frankfurt