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“We’re still the best team in the world”: Low on a high after Confederations Cup win

Germany coach Joachim Low says he is proud and impressed after his young and experimental team gave the nation its first Confederations Cup title.

Jul 03, 2017, updated Jul 03, 2017
German players celebrate after defeating Chile 1-0 in the Confederations Cup final in St. Petersburg. Photo: Kyodo via AAP

German players celebrate after defeating Chile 1-0 in the Confederations Cup final in St. Petersburg. Photo: Kyodo via AAP

The German squad in St Petersburg bore no resemblance to his 2014 World Cup winners and will not be the one that enters the World Cup in Russia next year to defend their title.

But Low said the 1-0 defeat of Chile meant Germany could claim to be the best in the world, a reference to comments before the match by Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal.

“Before the match, Vidal had said that winning this cup would mean they are the best team in the world. Well, this cup means that at the moment Germany is still the best team in the world,” Low said.

“And with such a young side!”

Low has seen several players improve their standing including Timo Werner, who set up the winning goal for Lars Stindl. The Leipzig striker clinched the Golden Boot trophy with three goals and two assists in the tournament.

Stindl and Leon Goretzka, who also had three goals each, have also risen in the pecking order, while Julian Draxler has enjoyed his role as captain, earning the Golden Ball as tournament best player.

“Jokingly, we could say that now we have to think about which of the players we left at home we can still add to this team next year,” Low said.

“Seriously though, we have created alternatives, by giving young players experience in such games as has happened here.”

Germany will be among the World Cup favourites whatever squad Low picks and, he insists, “we will be capable of handling that”.

But winning the Confed Cup two days after the Under-21 team won the European Championships “does not guarantee the World Cup next year,” he said.

Low may also be mindful of the fact that no team has gone on to lift the World Cup after winning the Confederations Cup.

-DPA

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