Environment ministry signs agreement to strengthen marine protection, promote ecotourism    Egypt, WHO discuss expanding health cooperation, development initiatives    Egypt, Sierra Leone discuss expanding cooperation in transport, infrastructure    Gaza under siege, fire: Resistance intensifies amid deepening humanitarian collapse    Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrives in Egypt for high-level talks    Service restoration underway after Cairo telecom fire, minister tells PM    Egypt's PM orders probe, pledges faster network upgrade after Ramsis Exchange blaze    Gold hits over 1-week low on stronger dollar    EGX closed mostly higher on July 9    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    Egypt, Pakistan boost healthcare ties – Cabinet    UK, Egypt strengthen cooperation on green transition, eco-tourism, and environmental investments    Escalation in Gaza as ceasefire talks remain fragile amid mounting humanitarian crisis    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt's PM, Uruguay's president discuss Gaza, trade at BRICS summit    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt teams up with private sector to boost university rankings    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Egypt condemns deadly terrorist attack in Niger    Egypt's FM, China's Wang discuss Iran-Israel escalation    Egypt's EHA, Schneider Electric sign MoU on sustainable infrastructure    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



World Cup title ends 10-year project for Germany
Published in Ahram Online on 14 - 07 - 2014

The World Cup title for Joachim Loew and his ''golden generation'' crowned a process that was 10 years in the making. With a talented crop of new players coming through, the future looks bright for Germany.
The 1-0 victory over Argentina at the Maracana that gave Germany its fourth title and made it the first European team to win the championship on South American soil completed a circle for Loew that began in 2004, when he became Juergen Klinsmann's assistant.
The two friends began plotting how to bring the title back to Germany and rejuvenated the team, creating an attacking, entertaining style that pleased the eye and promised success.
Germany fell short at home in 2006, finishing third, and Klinsmann stepped down to leave Loew in charge. Loew's team reached the final of Euro 2008, finished third again at the 2010 World Cup and was a semifinalist at Euro 2012. With doubts growing whether Loew's Germany could ever become a champion, the team pulled off the historic run in Brazil, including a stunning 7-1 victory over the host in the semifinal.
''It was time,'' Loew said after the final. ''It's the product of many years of work. And it's something for eternity.''
A meticulous planner who leaves little to chance, Loew made risky decisions that turned out right. He gave key midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger time to slowly nurse himself back into the team after a series of injuries and Schweinsteiger was one of the heroes of the final. Loew reshuffled the defense when needed and returned his only true striker, Miroslav Klose, to the starting line-up.
''The coach has really deserved the title,'' Schweinsteiger said. ''He managed to keep all players happy and that's incredible, to his credit. He really had the entire team behind him.''
Forward Thomas Mueller, who led the team with five goals, said he was pleased for Loew.
''I am happy for the coach, because he was always in the final or semifinal in recent years,'' Mueller said.
Midfielder Toni Kroos said the team trusted Loew and his decisions.
''We knew from day one that he has good vision and a very good feeling about whom and how to play,'' Kroos said. ''He knew exactly what he was doing and had confidence in us.''
As Germany returns home to celebrate the title with thousands of fans in Berlin, Loew might be contemplating his future. His contract runs through Euro 2018 and he has indicated he intends to stay on.
''We've been working for years on our own style. This title will be a shot in the arm for the future. We have players who are still very young and not many players over 30,'' Loew said.
''As for Klose, you never know, you can expect anything from him,'' Loew said of the 36-year-old striker. Klose has been noncommittal on his future.
Mario Goetze, who scored the match winner in the final with superb control and technique, is 22 and at the start of a promising career. Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan missed the tournament with injuries but will be back. Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Andre Schuerrle and Sami Khedira are all young, while Schweinsteiger and captain Philipp Lahm are still 30 or younger despite being in the team for 10 years or more.
''We have young players who can still achieve something in their careers,'' Loew said.
(For more sports newsandupdates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebook atAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/106256.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.