Germany captain Philipp Lahm believes the fact the group stage did not go entirely smoothly bodes well for Joachim Low's young team in the remainder of the World Cup.

Germany could hardly have wished for a better start to the tournament, thrashing Australia 4-0 in what was probably the best performance by any side during the opening round of matches.

However, they saw their wings clipped in their second game as they were defeated 1-0 by Serbia in a match that saw Miroslav Klose sent off and Lukas Podolski miss a penalty.

That left Germany needing to win their final Group D match against Ghana to guarantee themselves a place in the last 16 and, although it was not the best of performances, Low's men won 1-0 to finish top of the standings.

That set up a second-round meeting with England in Bloemfontein tomorrow afternoon, and Lahm reckons Germany head into the encounter all the stronger for their group-stage hiccup.

The 26-year-old said at the start of the tournament this was the best team he had ever played in, and that view has been reinforced by events so far in South Africa.

"This statement stands 100%," he said. "There's no reason for me to change that statement because I train with these lads every day.

"[The squad has] got a lot of quality, a lot of talent, and everybody knows it's still a developing team, still on a learning curve - which is why I think, with hindsight, it was very important that we didn't win all our group games clearly and without going through the odd difficult moment.

"I think it was a good thing for us to suffer at least for a while in the games."

Lahm is wary of the threat England will pose tomorrow, particularly that of "dynamite" Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney - and is paying little attention to Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer's claims that Fabio Capello's side play long-ball football and are "burned out".

"Truth be told, I never knew, because we don't hear a lot about what's happening back home and what Beckenbauer says and doesn't say," said the Bayern Munich full-back.

"Let me just say that we know that English players have good qualities. They are very good players, but we will be well prepared.

"We know perfectly well that they play the opposite to kick and rush, and in Wayne Rooney they have an excellent striker who, if he gets the ball into his feet, he is dynamite, he is quicksilver...but we'll be very well prepared."

Germany have often had the better of England at major tournaments since 1966, but Lahm insists history does not provide his team with a psychological edge.

"The players who are on the pitch were simply too young to experience or witness the games you are talking about," he said.

"All I can promise is the team who will be stepping out on Sunday will be mentally well prepared and knowing how to play brave and attacking football. But, for us, matches of the past do not play such a major role."

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