Germany boss thrilled to reach semi-finals of Euro 2012
Last Updated: June 22, 2012 10:58pm
Joachim Low: Delighted with Germany's performance in the victory over Greece
Sky Bet
Joachim Low paid tribute to Germany's display after seeing his team beat Greece 4-2 to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2012.
Germany dominated throughout in Gdansk but were frustrated by Greece until Philipp Lahm
opened the scoring a few minutes before half-time.
opened the scoring a few minutes before half-time.
Georgios Samaras equalised against the run of play on 55 minutes, but Germany hit back throughSami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus.
equalised against the run of play on 55 minutes, but Germany hit back throughSami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus.
Dimitris Salpigidis scored a late penalty for Greece but that did not take the gloss off the result for Low, who was thrilled with the way his men played.
"That was a class performance from the team to reach the semi-finals for the fourth time in a row," said Low, with the Germans having reached the last four at both the last two World Cups and having lost the Euro 2008 final.
"We can be proud of the team, it was clear that the Greeks could make something out of nothing.
"We failed to take an early lead but we did not panic.
"There were a few changes and I thought I had to change things after three wins."
Difficult
Low admitted that Lahm's opener was a crucial moment, as he said: "Philipp Lahm is the man for the main goals at major tournaments."
Lahm himself was less enthusiastic about Germany's performance than Low, declaring that it should not have been such a tense night.
"We made it unnecessarily difficult for ourselves," said Lahm.
"We had huge chances to go into the lead in the first quarter hour. We got into the lead but gifted it away.
"We were too slow at times and made too many easy mistakes but the important thing is that we are in the semi-finals."
0 commentaires