Jansen takes Lahm´s line over emulating Spanish

With his side set to face Uruguay in Saturday’s third place play-off, defender Marcell Jansen echoed captain Philipp Lahm’s hopes that Germany’s young side can emulate the rise of World Cup finalists Spain.

Despite suffering key injuries in the run up to the finals, Germany have played some of the tournament’s best football by hammering both England and Argentina before losing Wednesday’s semi-final 1-0 to Spain.

Germany may have failed to reach the final but there have been many positives with the greatest one being the unearthing of rising stars Mesut Ozil and Thomas Mueller.

The Spanish face the Netherlands in Sunday’s final in Johannesburg and Jansen says Germany are hoping to repeat Spain’s rise, to European champions – they beat Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final – and potential World Cup winners, for the next tournament.

“Despite the injuries, the team has always shown character and team spirit and underlined what can be achieved in a tournament like this,” said Jansen, referring principally to regular captain Michael Ballack missing the World Cup with an ankle injury.

“In terms of development, we have taken a giant step forward.

“Maybe we can achieve the same success the Spaniards started three years ago.”

A ‘flu virus hit the Germany squad hard at the their World Cup base in Erasmia on Thursday night and coach Joachim Loew, Lahm and Lukas Podolski were all affected.

Striker Miroslav Klose, who is just one short of Ronaldo’s all-time World Cup goalscoring record of 15, has a back injury and is struggling to be fit, while reserve goalkeeper Tim Wiese has a knee injury.