Joachim Low has insisted that failure is not an option for Germany at this summer's European Championship, but added that die Mannschaft will not underestimate their rivals.
The 52-year-old feels that rivals such as Netherlands, Portugal and Spain have as much as quality as his charges, and added that small details will be decisive at Euro 2012.
"I had a lot of time to think of all the possible scenarios back in January, February. However, at this point, I have only one thing on my mind and that's Portugal," Low was quoted as saying by Kicker.
"I am not even thinking about the possibility of failure. The team has made a lot of progress. That does not guarantee that we will win the title, though. Details will be decisive this summer.
"We don't underestimate anyone. The other teams have a lot of quality, too. People should not think that Netherlands are inferior with players such as Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.
"Portugal have Real Madrid stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, while Spain have world-class stars like Xavi and Andres Iniesta. It would be silly to think they have less quality than Germany."
Germany start Euro 2012 with the game against Portugal on June 9.
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Rank | Team | W/D/L | Pts |
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Cities & Stadiums
The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments
Year | Winners | Runner-up | Third place |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Spain | Germany | Russia / Turkey |
2004 | Greece | Portugal | Netherlands / Czech Republic |
2000 | France | Italy | Netherlands / Portugal |
1996 | Germany | Czech Republic | France / England |
1992 | Denmark | Germany | Netherlands / Sweden |
1988 | Netherlands | Soviet Union | Italy / West Germany |
1984 | France | Spain | Denmark / Portugal |
1980 | West Germany | Belgium | Czechoslovakia |
1976 | Czechoslovakia | West Germany | Netherlands |
1972 | West Germany | Soviet Union | Belgium |
1968 | Italy | Yugoslavia | England |
1964 | Spain | Soviet Union | Hungary |
1960 | Soviet Union | Yugoslavia | Czechoslovakia |