Loew: Mental strength key to success

Germany coach Joachim Loew believes efficient team-work has become one of the most significant ingredients for success in contemporary sport.

The German national team have won plaudits for their work ethic and togetherness, and the former Stuttgart boss is of the opinion that instilling these mental qualities is vital in the modern game.

“As a coach you wonder how players will behave in a team. Being a real unit is more important than ever in today’s competitive sports,” Loew told FR-online.de.

“In the team there are certain values that must exist: respectful treatment of each other, but also of opponents.”

“Communication, tolerance, discipline, reliability (are key). I see no pronounced egoists in our team, who adjusts the focus to make themselves look good or always score the goals.”

“I see us as a very good team in which no-one pushes himself to the forefront.”

Elsewhere, Loew reserved praise for the attitude of young duo Mario Gotze and Toni Kroos, both of whom have made inroads into the national team in 2011.

“(Gotze) has had to handle a huge lot in a year: for example in the Brazil game, he was outstanding, and was praised – but I saw him as modest afterwards,” Loew said.

“He is constantly asking question about where his faults were. Toni Kroos is also a good example.”

“It’s not easy when young player of 19 or 20 are suddenly in the public eye and earning so much money.”

“Many young players go through such situations, and you have to see who can come out on his own path, who can eliminate the unimportant things, surround himself with the right people, and focus completely on football.”

Germany have been drawn in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ at Euro 2012, which comprises of the likes of Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal.