Continuity key to German success
June 24, 2008 at 10:02 am | In Germany | 3 CommentsTags: Azzurri, Germany, Joachim Low, Jurgen Klinsmann, Torsten Frings
Joachim Löw believes it speaks volumes for the “continuity and good work” of German football that the Mannschaft are the only team to reach the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2008™ having done likewise at the FIFA World Cup two years ago.
‘Very special’
Four European countries contested those last-four ties – Germany falling to eventual winners Italy and France defeating Portugal – yet only the ever-reliable Germans are still in contention here. Les Bleus failed even to progress from their group while the Azzurri lost their quarter-final to Spain and Portugal were beaten by Germany. Löw, a wily deputy to Jürgen Klinsmann in 2006, said: “For a coach, it is something very special to be in a semi-final with your team. You don’t experience this every day. We are the only side from the semi-finals in 2006 to have reached the semis here. That speaks for continuity and good work.”
Mertesacker aims to go one better
June 24, 2008 at 9:25 am | In Germany | 1 CommentTags: Christoph Metzelder, Germany, Joachim Low, Torsten Frings, Turkey
Germany centre-back Per Mertesacker is eager to ensure his second appearance in a national-team semi-final is a successful one. Joachim Löw’s side must navigate a potentially hazardous last-four encounter with a Turkey team whose resilience has become their trademark at UEFA EURO 2008™.
Final destination
“I have now played 47 internationals and the match on Wednesday will be my second appearance in the semi-finals of a major tournament,” the 23-year-old Werder Bremen defender said. “Unfortunately, we were defeated by Italy at this stage in the 2006 [FIFA] World Cup. But this time, I definitely want to reach the final. And as part of the defence, I can play a very important role in that. I want my performance on Wednesday to justify my place in the starting eleven.”
Can Germany withstand the pressure?
June 13, 2008 at 11:32 pm | In Germany | Leave a CommentTags: Austria, Croatia, Germany, Joachim Low, Lukas Podolski, Michael Ballack
The disappointment following the 2-1 loss against Croatia was still etched on the face of Joachim Löw as he addressed the media today. The 48-year-old seemed very tense, perhaps the pressure of expectation weighing on his mind ahead of Germany’s encounter against their neighbours in what is sure to be an emotional night at a sold-out Ernst-Happel-Stadion against co-hosts Austria.
High expectations
After his team struggled to cope with a lively Croatian side in Klagenfurt yesterday, Löw will be asking himself if his players can handle such an all-or-nothing match such as the one which now awaits the Mannschaft. The whole country expects the team to make amends for the loss against Croatia, while the whole of Austria, given hope after the draw with Poland, are hoping for a surprise victory over Löw’s title favourites.
Strong nerves needed
Defender Philipp Lahm expressed his confidence that he and his team-mates are focused enough to see off Asutria and claim the win they need. But is he being overly optimistic? Captain Michael Ballack has not yet been able to reach his usual high standards. The German rearguard looked particularly unstable against Croatia, while in attack, only Lukas Podolski, with three goals in two games so far, seems the only threat. Can the Germans cope with the white-hot atmosphere which is waiting for them in Vienna.
Low point not the end for Germany
June 13, 2008 at 6:57 am | In Germany | 2 CommentsTags: Germany, Joachim Low
Germany coach Joachim Löw said that Croatia deserved their 2-1 victory in Klagenfurt but expressed confidence in his team’s powers of recovery. It was an opinion shared by opposite number Slaven Bilić, for whom the Mannschaft remained strong UEFA EURO 2008™ contenders, although the Croatia coach was more concerned with his own side’s superlative display.
Slaven Bilić, Croatia coach
It was a great match and I would like to extend special congratulation to my players, not only for battling hard but also for playing excellent football. There is no other way to beat Germany than to play well. They are a great team and are still one of the title favourites. You cannot allow them to control any part of the pitch and that’s how we tried to play against them. For me, this victory is a bigger achievement than beating England at Wembley. I keep getting questions about similarities between this team and the team I played in in 1998. All I can say is that we are Croatians, we play for our fans but we are not the only team who play like this. It was the same in 1998 and it’s the same now. We are always emotional, we cannot change that. Even if we wanted to, we don’t want to. There are coaches who stay in the dugout and those like me who are more active. I like to take part by giving advice and by being as close as possible to the pitch. Every team here, apart from Switzerland because they have been eliminated, can win the title. The difference in modern football is very small. As for Luka Modrić, he was already a star before this tournament. I keep telling him that he is the best player in Europe but he’s not the only great player in our team. My team prove to me day in, day out, in training and out on the pitch that they are world class.
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