Loew goes with young pups for Sweden friendly

Germany coach Joachim Loew has called six uncapped players, from on-form Borussia Dortmund and Mainz 05, into his squad ahead of an away friendly against Sweden on November 17.

It means Loew, who led Germany to a third place finish at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, will be leaving many established national team stars — including Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm — on the sidelines.

Also missing from the list, to be officially unveiled Thursday, will be scoring machine Miroslav Klose, as well as Arne Friedrich and Stefan Kiessling, who are recovering from injury.

Former captain Michael Ballack is also missing due to his latest injury.

Loew told the Bild daily: “Andre Schuerrle and Lewis Holtby, from Mainz, and the Dortmund players Mario Goetze, Mats Hummels and Kevin Grosskreutz will be on the list.

“Marcel Schmelzer will also be called up.”

All six players are aged 22 or under, bringing the average age of Germany’s squad — whose average was 24.9 at the World Cup — even lower.

Schuerrle and Holtby, both 20, have impressed for Mainz this season while 18-year-old Goetze has scored two goals for Bundesliga leaders Dortmund.

Grosskreutz, a 22-year-old striker, and 21-year-old defender Hummels have already been called up once before.

Loew said as long as the players had the tools, they were eligible for the job.

“To say that a player must pay his dues for two or three years before being called up to the national team is no longer applicable if you ask me,” said Loew.

Germany currently lead Group A in Euro 2012 qualifying with 12 points from four matches.