Loew: “We’ve become stronger tactically”

(GSM) – Countries like Brazil, England and Spain are named as the biggest favourites to win the World Cup, but history tells us you must never exclude Germany. National coach Joachim Loew is confident that ‘Die Mannschaft’ is capable of winning the World Cup. “We’re stronger than in 2006 and 2008.”

Germany finished third at the last World Cup, at their home soil. Two years later, they reached the final of the European Championships and Loew won’t exclude that Germany will end this series with a World Cup title. “We haven’t shown this ability during all our qualifiers but tactically we’ve become a lot stronger,” Loew told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Loew referred to the decisive match against Russia as an example of their tactical strength. “In crucial matches we gave an extremely good tactical showing,” the coach said. “We wouldn’t have been capable of that four years ago.”

Despite his confidence in his side, Loew is taking nothing for granted in next year’s finals in South Africa where Germany have been drawn in Group D with Australia, Serbia and Ghana.

“Those who talk of a lucky draw are badly informed,” said Low. Serbia “play an incredibly good level of football, technically perfect and very fast” while Ghana, whom he considers the top African team along with Algeria, are “physical, with great speed and lots of stamina.”