Intro:

Germany manager Joachim Loew says politics will not be a factor when they play Greece in the quarter-finals of Euro 2012.

He added that he had an agreement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel that she would not interfere with his tactical instructions, and he would not deal with the political agenda".

Script:

SOUNDBITE: Joachim Loew, Germany manager:

"As far as the political situation is concerned, Angela Merkel and the national team are on very good terms. We have come to an agreement that she will not interfere with my tactical instructions, but by the same token I will not deal with the political agenda. So as far as we are concerned, we are approaching a normal sporting contest and that's the end of it."

SOUNDBITE: Joachim Loew, Germany manager:

"I have watched Spain twice and they are just absolutely world class with the combination play of theirs and they just suffered the same fate as many other good teams - that you have opponents who are sitting very deep, trying to disrupt your rhythm and Spain you can rely on them to always create. So they have fantastic players in their ranks. (Andres) Iniesta is the best possible example of a footballing culture and Spain have managed to come first in their group. So Spain were and remain the favourites to win the tournament."

SOUNDBITE: Holger Badstuber, Germany defender:

"Well if you look at the game against Greece I think we have every reason to be self-confident as we approach the quarter-finals, but it will be anything but easy and they are a tough opponent to play against. They will offer all kinds of resistance and not only will they sit deep, they will try and play on the counter. So I think it will be very difficult against a tough opponent. it will be crucial for us not to go into the game having won in our minds already."

SOUNDBITE: Holger Badstuber, Germany defender:

"Yes that's the kind of issue with yellow cards and resulting suspensions that has really annoyed me this year with the Champions League final and the rest of it. Now I know that I will just have to be a bit cautious, a bit withdrawn and play a bit cleverer, as they say. So I am very happy not to have been cautioned again because I would have missed the quarter-finals, so I am very happy to have played in all three games."