Joachim Low: Modesty key to Germany World Cup success

Sport360 staff 00:58 24/03/2015
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  • Joachim Low led Germany to World Cup success in Brazil last summer.

    Germany’s winning World Cup manager Joachim Low has praised his side for the modesty and focus they showed in pursuit of the title, even after their triumphant 7-1 semi-final victory over hosts Germany.

    In success, Germany became the first European side to win a World Cup on South American soil and the achievement has earned Low’s a nomination for the prestigious 2015 Laureus World Team of the Year award.

    Mario Gotze, nominated for the World Breakthrough of the Year award, struck in extra-time of the World Cup final against Argentina last July to secure victory for Low and his side to earn a first title success for the reunified Germany.

    Speaking to Laureus.com, Low said: “We are the first European team to have won a world football championship in South America. I think that was a marvellous achievement on the part of everyone involved. So we shall see. Naturally we would be delighted to win.”

    Germany swept to success in style, defeating South American powerhouses Brazil and Argentina in the final two rounds as well as former champions France in the quarter-final.

    While Germany were considered among the leading contenders for the title pre-tournament, the manner of their 7-1 success over hosts Brazil in the semi-final was considered a major shock.

    Low, though, praised the attitude of his players who refused to get ahead of themselves despite their emphatic success over the favourites: “As the team coach it is all about getting the team into a mindset where we take one match at a time in phases.

    “But after the game against France, when we had gone past the quarter-finals, I certainly had the feeling that anything was possible now. There were just four teams left in the contest, we had the quality and class and I felt that we had become more mature than we perhaps were in 2010 or 2012.Germany left Brazil humiliated in Belo Horizonte.

    “After the 7-1 game against Brazil, when we were in the changing room after this really outstanding victory, I noticed that the team was relatively modest, there was no atmosphere of euphoria or overconfidence.

    “Instead they all said to me ‘Coach, we have not achieved anything yet, we still have one match to go’ That gave me the feeling that perhaps the time had now come and we could do it.”

    Having come so close to the title in both 2010, when they reached the semifinals, and at the 2012 European Championship where Germany reached the final, it was a major relief for Low and his side to finally get themselves over the line in the Maracana.

    Speaking of his emotions following his side’s extra-time success over Argentina, Low said: “The sheer joy on the pitch, and afterwards in the changing room, was something I have never before experienced, and in some way it was also the reward for us all, for many, many years of hard work and intensive effort.”

    Germany this week come together for the latest international window ahead of a friendly encounter with Australia and European Championship qualification fixture with Georgia.

    Speaking of his side’s current development, Low added: At present we are going through a period of change. A number of players who were leading personalities, both in terms of performance on and off the pitch, have now ended their careers. So a changeover is taking place to some extent.

    “But where talented players and their quality are concerned, I firmly believe that we can be hopeful about the future and will remain at this high level.

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