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New Era Under Löw Picks up Where the Old Era Left off

August 16, 2006

Germany present new national coach Joachim Löw with a 3-0 victory against a weak Sweden.

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German fans probably didn't need to look hard for their flags from the World CupImage: AP

Jürgen Klinsmann may be gone, but the exciting soccer that he brought back to Germany is here to stay. New coach Joachim Löw said before the friendly match against Sweden that his team would carry on with the attacking style, and they did so on Wednesday, winning 3-0 in Gelsenkirchen.

Like in their round of 16 victory on June 24, a two-goal barrage in the first ten minutes decided the match before the players were even really warmed up. Fuelled by the good vibes from the World Cup, Germany lay on top after only 3 and a half minutes, when Bernd Schneider scored from seven meters out after a skillful cross from Tim Borowski.

Certainly reason to be happy for Bernd Schneider. But afterwards it was time for the man with the Golden Boot -- Miroslav Klose. The top goalscorer at the World Cup, Klose struck in the 8th minute after adroitly avoiding two defenders and sliding the ball under unlucky Swedish keeper Rami Shabaan. It was deja vu in Gelsenkirchen.

Germany were up 2-0 early. The Swedes offered little resistance either defensively or up front, and just before the interval, Klose sealed the contest with his most potent weapon, a header against which Shabaan had no chance.

Euphoria still in the air

WM Bilder des Tages 08.07.2006 Fanmeile Berlin
82 million fans still clearly behind the "new" teamImage: AP

In most post-match interviews, the German players spoke of how they felt the euphoria that was omnipresent during the World Cup, and it was unmistakable at the Arena Auf Schalke. In the first half, it carried the team that played with elan and poise.

In the second half, Manuel Friedrich and Malik Fathi debuted with the national squad. Head coach Joachim Löw’s team had it easy against Sweden and the coach noticed just how much confidence his team is playing with.

Other action on Wednesday

The qualifications to the European Cup will shape the next few months. Germany faces their first opponent, Ireland, on September 2. The Irish took a drubbing at the hands of Holland, losing 4-0 on Wednesday. Also of interest, defending Euro champions Greece were thrashed by England, also by a score of 4-0. And World Cup winners, Italy, lost 2-0 to Croatia, but without a single player from the championships in June and July.