adminRIO DE JANEIRO. – Bastian Schweinsteiger believes Germany can embark on an era of global dominance following their World Cup soccer success in Brazil.
The midfielder said lifting the trophy in the Maracana following Sunday’s 1-0 triumph over Argentina will give his teammates the “hunger” to claim more glory. Germany savoured their first World Cup success since 1990 – and their first international win since Euro 96 – when Mario Gotze dispatched a brilliant volley in the 113rd minute of the final. After the near-misses of recent tournaments, Bayern Munich star Schweinsteiger claimed the breakthrough victory can provide a pathway to future triumphs with Euro 2016 next in his sights. “It will give us hunger, absolutely. We want to do it again at the next tournament. The important thing is that the young guys have the experience of this tournament,” he said.
“We have some players who have a big future and the Spain team and the Brazilian team changed a little bit. We believe we are now the No.1 team in the world. We have to enjoy this moment and not talk about the future too much.
“Every title is important. I’m happy that we won this title with the guys. Since the tournament was held in Germany in 2006, we always go as far as the semi-final, finish third place or reach the final in 2008 but lose. Now we have taken one step more and that is the most important thing for the whole of this squad.” – The Daily Express.
Berlin was expected to host a civic reception for Joachim Low’s victorious squad yesterday.
Meanwhile, Gary Neville has poured scorn on claims for England to copy Germany’s blueprint for success saying it simply cannot be done.
Mario Gotze’s extra-time winner in Sunday’s World Cup final gave Germany their first world title since 1990 and was seen as the culmination of years of planning and investment in young talent.
Joachim Low’s squad in Brazil had an average age of 26 and the victory marked the progress made since Germany failed to make it out of the group stages at both the 2000 and 2004 European Championships.
The 7-1 semi-final hammering of the hosts was Germany’s fourth straight appearance in the last four of a World Cup but this time they went all the way to collect their fourth trophy.
England, meanwhile, endured their worst World Cup in history following elimation after just two games; defeat by Italy and Uruguay.
Roy Hodgson’s side finished bottom of their group with only a point from a goalless draw with Costa Rica in their final match.
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke’s review has already suggested several ways in which the governing body hopes to alter the fortunes of the national side and now many are touting for England to develop slowly and methodically like their German counterparts.
But England coach Neville does not feel it is possible to do so, although he stopped short of offering his reasons why.
“People who write, ‘England should follow the German route’ are either oblivious to the obstacle or believe in magic wands,” he wrote on Twitter.
When taken up on his use of magic wands and that Germany had not simply waved them, Neville said: “No but a Holistic approach! Won’t happen here.”
Neville, who played when England won 5-1 in Munich in 2001 – a result many link to the German’s change of attitude – went further by suggesting a copycat approach to Germany’s path could not currently be implemented in England.
“Course it would be great to follow that route but you may as well at present say, ‘England needs weather like Spain’,” he added.
“We are going to have to find our way of doing it because the system we have doesn’t allow us to adopt the German route in its entirety.
“I’m confident the mountain is starting to move. But it is a slow shift and results will take time but I see things happening behind the scenes.” – The Daily Express.
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