By Thomas Berndt
There was both cake and birthday song in the restaurant at the players' hotel in Helsinge today. Although the German team does not have much to celebrate after yesterday's defeat to Slovenia, the German back player Nikola Pietzsch could wave the German flag a little today. It is her 28th birthday.

This is why the curtains were drawn during today's lunch before the injured Grit Jurack entered carrying a birthday cake, candles and all. The German team all chimed in on 'Happy Birthday' before Pietzsch cut the cake. There was time for presents as well, and she received a watch from the German Handball Federation.

'We have worked hard today and got up early to practice', Pietzsch said. As early as a quarter to nine the Germans had started their morning practice. There was time for a bit of socialising, too, however, and friends and family have been calling from home with congratulations, and tonight the Leipzig-girl will indulge herself in a bit of sparkling wine. But not too much, of course.

'We are playing tomorrow, after all', says Pietzsch, who is a law student when she is not busy playing handball. This was in fact the second time during the Euro 2002 she had something to celebrate. She played her 75th match for Germany in Saturday's match against Norway