Loew praises Germany´s ´champions performance´

Germany coach Joachim Loew hailed his team’s stunning World Cup 4-0 quarter-final demolition of Argentina on Saturday as a performance worthy of champions.

“My team showed great resolve, a great willingness to win and it wasn’t just a high-level victory, but a true champions’ performance,” said Loew.

The team’s achievement in reaching the semi-finals is remarkable given that Loew’s four-year contract with the German Football Federation (DFB) expired last Wednesday.

The 50-year-old has insisted he will not discuss a new deal until after the World Cup, but if captain Philipp Lahm lifts the trophy at Soccer City in Johannesburg on July 11, the coach will be able to name his own price.

Loew’s men in black tore apart Diego Maradona’s Argentina on Saturday with veteran striker Miroslav Klose scoring twice, 20-year-old Thomas Mueller heading his fourth of the tournament and centre-back Arne Friedrich enjoying a tap-in.

Having led Germany to the final of Euro 2008, Loew is just two wins away from claiming a fourth World Cup title for the country, but his top priority is keeping his team grounded before Wednesday’s semi-final in Durban.

“What’s important now is to keep our emotions under control,” said Loew, whose side have an average age of under 25 years.

“The team has been excellent so far in celebrating, but remaining realistic. The joy in the dressing room is huge, my players know we are now among the top four teams in the world, but it is very important now to use the coming days to concentrate and focus for the semi-final.”

Well-known for his tactical ability, Loew upstaged opposite number Diego Maradona as Germany limited the supply of possession to world footballer of the year Lionel Messi and defended doggedly.

“We were not surprised, because we observed Argentina carefully,” said Loew. “We expected the named lineup and knew Messi would fall back into midfield.

“He is a key player, so we tried to keep him under control by putting him under pressure and staying close to him.

“We weren’t surprised by the Argentinian tactics. We beat a world-class team 4-0, so it’s all positives and also scored some wonderful goals, so we are very pleased.

“It is always very dangerous to take the lead against Argentina, but my team went the extra mile.”

Loew and his back-room staff have coaxed an impressive campaign from a young German side as they brushed off the pre-World Cup loss of captain Michael Ballack to reach the last four.

Germany got off to the perfect start when they demolished Australia 4-0 in the group stages, but then crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat to Serbia.

They bounced back with a nervy 1-0 win over Ghana before routing England 4-1 in the round of 16 to reach the quarter-finals.

Despite also losing the experience of goal-keeper Rene Adler, defender Heiko Westermann, midfielder Simon Rolfes and Christian Traesch before the World Cup, the young replacements have shone.

Rising stars like Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil and Manuel Neuer are now household names and the future is bright.

When the World Cup is over, Loew must decide whether he will lead Germany into their Euro 2012 campaign to be held in Poland and the Ukraine.

But the smart money is on him being at the helm when the qualification campaign begins against Belgium in Brussels on September 3.