© Reuters 2002

BERLIN, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Germany coach Rudi Voeller has warned his players against complacency after reaching the World Cup finals last month and said any slackers would be quickly dealt with. In an interview with Kicker magazine ahead of his team's 2004 European championship qualifier against Bulgaria on August 21, Voeller also said he would introduce some younger players to his squad in the months ahead.

"Anyone who thinks that everything will be automatic from now on because we are the vice champions of the world will hear a brutally different opinion from me," Voeller said. "I will take very hard measures against anyone taking a casual approach," he added. "We have to play at the top of our game to be successful. Everyone has to go all out."

Germany had not been expected to advance far in the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan this year, but surprised the experts, themselves included, by reaching the final where they were beaten 2-0 by Brazil. Voeller said Oliver Bierhoff, Thomas Linke and Marco Bode had retired after the Brazil match, and he would fill those vacancies with younger players.

"As we have in the past, we will continue to carry forward the process of replacing older players with young talent," he said. "It is logical that we will keep an especially close eye on those players we have included in the past." That did not mean, however, players had an automatic spot. "There are no free tickets," he said.

Voeller will name his team for the match against Bulgaria on Thursday.