FIFA World Cup winners Germany have suffered something of a hangover since their triumph in Brazil, but coach Joachim Loew is hoping a new-look side can go on to claim more glory at Euro 2016.
After claiming their fourth World Cup in July, retirements and injuries took their toll as Germany struggled for form at the start of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in the second half of the year.
A shock first-ever defeat to Poland in Warsaw, followed by a 1-1 draw with Ireland in October, leaves Germany third in their qualifying group for the 2016 finals in France.
However, the world champions will still start next year on top of FIFA’s world rankings.
Germany will tackle six qualifiers next year, hosting Poland in September and traveling to Ireland and Scotland. With a group’s top two qualifying automatically and third place enough for a play-off, there is margin for error, but Loew is looking for strong performances to qualify as group winners.
“It would be wrong to be satisfied with what we have achieved so far,” said the Germany coach, who took charge in 2006 and has a contract until after Euro 2016. “It is important for us now to put some distance between ourselves and our previous success and bring in new ideas.”
The 54-year-old is clear on what he wants Germany to achieve next year, which starts with a friendly against Australia in March.
“I hope that we are able to confirm our [World Cup] success,” Loew said. “That we can characterize an era in which we not only won the [World Cup] title, but we can recapture the feeling [of success]. And that in 2016, we can win the [European Championship] final in Paris and then focus on defending our title at the 2018 World Cup.”
There are several areas which need Loew’s urgent attention, though, especially the defense, with rightback Philipp Lahm and centerback Per Mertesacker having retired from international soccer after the World Cup.
World Cup-winners Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng are to come back in, but last month’s 1-0 friendly victory in Spain failed to mask deficiencies in Germany’s ability to turn chances into goals, just as their finishing let them down badly against Poland and Ireland.
Responsibility for improving in that regard will fall upon Thomas Mueller and World Cup hero Mario Goetze, who are poised to spearhead Germany’s attack.
Meanwhile, Lahm’s retirement left a leadership void on the pitch and Bastian Schweinsteiger has yet to appear for Loew’s side since being named as the new captain.
Elsewhere, Loew has unearthed some exciting young talent in Bayer 04 Leverkusen winger Karim Bellarabi and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim forward Kevin Volland, while Borussia Moechengladbach midfielder Christoph Kramer and Schalke 04’s Julian Draxler need to make good on the potential they showed in Brazil.
Germany will be looking to avenge their shock 2011 defeat to the Socceroos on March 23.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and