Thomas Haessler thought he would be on his holidays today. Instead, he will win his 100th cap for Germany in Liege where he lines up in the Group A opener against Romania.

The 34-year-old midfielder is the only definite starter named so far by coach Erich Ribbeck, completing a remarkable comeback for a player who believed his international career had long been over.

Haessler, a World Cup winner in 1990 and a member of the victorious Euro 96 team, had been frozen out after Germany's quarter-final defeat by Croatia in France 98.

But he was called up by Ribbeck in the final stages of Germany's Euro 2000 build-up and said: 'It was always my goal to reach 100 matches for the national team, but I really never thought I'd be back. I had already made plans for my holidays.'

Not only had his career been in a tailspin since 1998, his personal life was in turmoil when his wife and his business manager Angela left him after her affair with the commercial manager of his club Munich 1860 became public knowledge.

On the field, his problems began after the last World Cup. Haessler swapped Karlsruhe for Borussia Dortmund, but instead of becoming team leader, he did not get on with coach Michael Skibbe and spent most of the season on the bench.

'I had really lost all hope and courage,' said Haessler. Written off by almost everyone, Haessler made another move at the start of this season, to Munich 1860.

What a move it turned out to be. With plenty of support from coach Werner Lorant, Haessler began to rebuild. The result: Haessler guided the club to fourth in the Bundesliga.

Then came the revelations about his marriage break-up but instead of falling into another slump, Haessler began playing even better.

'The whole thing made me stronger, more mature. Playing good soccer has nothing to do with my personal life,' said Haessler.

Just a few weeks ago, Haessler said he was thinking of officially declaring his Germany career over.

'Then I got the call from Ribbeck,' he said. 'Now I'm going to have big responsibility, otherwise they would-n't have brought me here.'

Despite his 34 years, Haessler will be a relative youngster compared to the most senior member of the Germany squad - 39-year-old libero Lothar Matthaeus, who will extend his world-record total of 148 caps if he is selected.

One man who may miss out, however, is striker Ulf Kirsten, who pinched a nerve in training.