Dutch, Spain no problem for Germany – Loew

Germany coach Joachim Loew says he is prepared for his side to meet either World Cup winners Spain or finalists the Netherlands, ahead of the draw for the Euro 2012 group stage next month.

Germany hammered the Dutch 3-0 in Hamburg on Tuesday and, having breezed through their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a perfect record of 10 wins, Loew’s team are one of the favourites to win their fourth European crown.

The groups for next June’s Euro 2012 finals will be drawn in Kiev on Friday, December 2, with co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine in pot one alongside defending champions Spain and the Netherlands.

Germany will be in pot two along with England, Italy and Russia and Loew has no problems knowing the Germans could well face either the Dutch or Spanish in their group.

“We know that anything is possible,” he said.

“We know that we could meet Spain or Holland in the group stage and we have to assume that can happen. I have no concerns.

“We have been working for years towards our goal of being better and consistent.”

The final places for Euro 2012 were decided after the play-offs were completed on Tuesday and the other pots have now been determined.

In pot three will be Portugal, Greece, Sweden and Croatia, while pot four will contain Denmark, France, Ireland and the Czech Republic.

Germany have now beaten both Brazil and the Netherlands this year, but Loew warned that the Euro Championship is still more than six months away.

“This time we were better, but things won’t necessarily stay the same,” said Loew, with Germany set to face France in a friendly in Bremen next February.

“Until Euro 2012, we still have a long six months to prepare and we have just one game left before the final preparations begin.

“Things could change by then.

“If the Euro was to start tomorrow, of course, I’d be happy. But we have to keep this form and in the tournament, you have to hold it for three or four weeks.”

Klose influence

Loew also praised Lazio striker Miroslav Klose, who captained Germany for the night in Hamburg with regular skipper Philipp Lahm rested.

On his 113th appearance, the 33-year-old scored and provided the final pass for the two other goals in a stellar performance that saw him claim his 63rd goal to take him to within five of Gerd Mueller’s all-time record for the national team.

“He always knows how well prepared he must be before games and always presents himself in outstanding condition,” said Loew.

‘Group of death’ beckons for France

UEFA yesterday confirmed the seedings for the 2012 European Championship, raising the spectre of a ‘group of death’ including Spain, Germany, Portugal and France.

One of the outcomes of the qualifying play-offs that concluded on Tuesday was that France, European champions in 2000, dropped into the bottom pool of seeds.

It did mean, however, that France cannot be drawn alongside Ireland, who they beat in controversial circumstances in a 2010 World Cup play-off after an infamous Thierry Henry handball.

The Euro 2012 finals draw will take place in Kiev on December 2.

Pool 1
Poland (co-hosts); Ukraine (co-hosts); Spain; The Netherlands.

Pool 2
Germany; Italy; England; Russia.

Pool 3
Croatia; Greece; Portugal; Sweden.

Pool 4
Denmark; France; Czech Republic; Ireland.