- Joined
- Jun 26, 2007
- Messages
- 26,190
- Reaction score
- 6
- Points
- 38
- Age
- 62
From the BBC News Desk
Coach Joachim Low says Germany's "winning mentality" could give them the edge against Spain in Sunday's Euro 2008 final.
Germany struggled against Turkey in their semi-final and lost to Croatia in an earlier group match.
But Low said: "We have not been at a high level permanently. However, the pressure is off now we're in the final.
"We have the experience of this kind of tournament. We believe we can win such games - we have a winner's mentality."
The defeat by Croatia in the group stages appeared at the time to be a major setback to Germany's hopes of progressing through the tournament, while narrow wins over Austria, Portugal and Turkey could have gone against them had opposition teams been more clinical.
By contrast, Spain have won every match in Austria and Switzerland, easing into the final courtesy of a 3-0 win over Russia in their semi-final, although they did need penalties to beat Italy in the previous round.
However, Germany still find themselves one win away from a fourth European Championship title and a first major honour since their triumph in the competition in England in 1996.
Low insists past form will count for little in Sunday's showdown and added: "Spain showed once again they have a very good team and they have been playing at a consistently high level since the tournament began.
More...
Coach Joachim Low says Germany's "winning mentality" could give them the edge against Spain in Sunday's Euro 2008 final.
Germany struggled against Turkey in their semi-final and lost to Croatia in an earlier group match.
But Low said: "We have not been at a high level permanently. However, the pressure is off now we're in the final.
"We have the experience of this kind of tournament. We believe we can win such games - we have a winner's mentality."
The defeat by Croatia in the group stages appeared at the time to be a major setback to Germany's hopes of progressing through the tournament, while narrow wins over Austria, Portugal and Turkey could have gone against them had opposition teams been more clinical.
By contrast, Spain have won every match in Austria and Switzerland, easing into the final courtesy of a 3-0 win over Russia in their semi-final, although they did need penalties to beat Italy in the previous round.
However, Germany still find themselves one win away from a fourth European Championship title and a first major honour since their triumph in the competition in England in 1996.
Low insists past form will count for little in Sunday's showdown and added: "Spain showed once again they have a very good team and they have been playing at a consistently high level since the tournament began.
More...