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Lahm hails 'world class' Gomez as Germany edge closer to qualification
Posted Thursday, June 14, 2012 by Goal.com

The full-back praised his country's two-goal hero after the Bayern Munich striker inspired his side to a win over the Netherlands that put them on the verge of progression

Lahm hails 'world class' Gomez as Germany edge closer to qualification


Philipp Lahm has hailed Mario Gomez as "world class" after the striker hit a double against the Netherlands to put Germany on the brink of qualification for the Euro 2012 knockout stages.

Two first-half goals from Gomez put the Germans in command, before Robin van Persie struck after the break to give Bert van Marwijk's team hope. Their late surge proved fruitless thereafter, however, as Joachim Low's side held on to take all three points.

The win leaves Germany needing just a point from their final first round game with Denmark to clinch top spot in Group B and qualification for the quarter-finals.

"The tournament isn't over yet and Mario still has a lot to contribute," Lahm told ZDF. "He is a top striker, that we know.  The goals he scored today were world class."

Lahm's defensive accomplice Jerome Boateng played a key role in killing off any hopes of a Dutch comeback and was pleased with Germany's overall performance in a game that was played in challenging temperatures in Kharkiv.

"We stood well defensively," Boateng said. "After half time we didn't do enough for the game. But luckily we succeeded in holding on to the result until full time.

"I'm tired after playing in these temperatures. It was an exhausting match."

The Bayern Munich defender also voiced his displeasure at receiving a yellow card during the match, but stressed that the result was all that mattered.

"It was a stupid yellow," Boateng added. "Can - and do you have to - give these? I don't know. Most important is that we won."

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia