Germany head coach Jürgen Klinsmann has opted to make Arsenal's Jens Lehmann his first-choice goalkeeper over Bayern Munich's veteran keeper Oliver Kahn at this summer's World Cup Finals.

Lehmann has been tussling with Kahn for Germany's coveted number one shirt and has now been given the nod over his golakeepeing rival who has been the German no.1 for many years.

The final decision was made on Friday after a meeting between Klinsmann, his assistant Joachim Low, general manager Oliver Bierhoff and goalkeeping coach Andreas Kopke.

Lehmann has been on excellent form for The Gunners this season, whilst Kahn has had an unusual run of bad-form in recent games for Bayern Munich, leading many experts to predict that the former Schalke, Dortmund and Milan custodian would get the nod.

Both goalkeepers had publicly stated their belief that they would be between the first-choice for Germany when they face Costa Rica in the World Cup opening match on June 9 and it is not yet known whether Kahn will be prepared to sit out the tournament on the bench.

Lehmann won the first of his 29 international caps back in February 1998, but has yet to play a major tournament as first-choice keeper.

Explaining the decision, Kopke stated: "Both goalkeepers have amazing ability. We are, however, convinced that Jens Lehmann is better suited to the way we like to see the game played."

Bierhoff added: "The goalkeeper question has dominated discussions in the last weeks and the decision was extremely difficult for our coaches. I appeal to everyone to accept the decision and give both the team and Jens Lehmann their full support."

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