Lehmann denies making obscene gesture to fans

Lehmann scratched his temple with his middle finger after fans in Hanover had begun chanting the name of substitute goalkeeper Robert Enke, a local player, after Lehmann had been caught out of goal.

 "What nonsense. I have never done anything like that in my life," Lehmann said when asked about the incident in the second half of Germany's 4-0 victory.

 After Bild am Sonntag newspaper published a photo of the alleged finger gesture, German Football Federation (DFB) president Theo Zwanziger Sunday sprang to Lehmann's defence.

 "I know he respects the fans. He knows there is no reason to make gestures which hurt the fans. He would never want that. I really have to take up the cudgels for Jens Lehmann," Zwanziger said.

 Lehmann, 38, who earned his 50th cap against Cyprus, has now gone 351 minutes for Germany without conceding a goal.

 However coach Joachim Loew said he intended to have discussions with Lehmann on his future at Arsenal where is currently second choice.

 The coach is concerned his first-choice goalkeeper could be lacking in match practice before Euro 2008 if his situation at Arsenal does not improve.

 "Jens knows that it is not so easy to take someone to a tournament who has not played for eight, nine months," he said.

 Lehmann twiced saved well to prevent Efstathios Aloneftis scoring for Cyprus and looked solid handling the ball despite his lack of first-team action at Arsenal.

 "Jens showed today that he has extraordinary class," Loew said after the match.

 "He is outstanding in one-on-one sitiations, he has fast reactions and is assured dealing with high balls into the penalty area."

   Lehmann said after the game: "I realised once again how much fun I have playing."

   He said he was sure he would soon regain his place in the Arsenal goal at the expense of Manuel Almunia.

 "At least I believe this strongly, and I am seldom wrong in my assessments," he said.

 Lehmann has indicated he will wait until the end of the year before deciding on his future. In recent interviews in the German media he has said he could imagine a return to the Bundesliga, even to a second-division club.