Low on a high after win

Coach hails Germany duo

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 23rd August 2007

Germany coach Joachim Low was delighted with his side after their 2-1 win over England.

Goals from Kevin Kuranyi and Christian Pander were enough to give Germany a morale-boosting victory over their old foes.

The result means Germany were the last team to win at the old Wembley and the first to record a victory at the new Wembley and Low singled out Pander for special praise following his stunning winner.

Happy

"There are very few places in the world where winning is such a good experience," beamed Low. "My players are dancing happily in the dressing room.

"We decided to play Kevin Kuranyi as a lone striker and he was supported by excellent skills and intelligent players. Let me also single out Christian Pander.

"He had a very good performance and scored a lovely goal. For the first 20 minutes we showed too much respect to England, but the equaliser was a big help and we started to play with much more courage and in the end we dominated the game.

"We had little time to practise and train and playing at the new Wembley in front of 90,000 people we were a bit intimidated. But when we scored the equaliser my players said 'hey, we can score goals here'."

Ballack back
Low also revealed that Michael Ballack should return to the side for the Euro 2008 qualifier with Wales next month after missing the England game through injury.

"The World Cup should have shown that we can win against the giants of football and we can hold our own against Europe's strong teams," added Low. Winning here is nice but what is really important is the next game and to qualify against Wales.

"Ballack will definitely be back for that. Winning here is a great experience but it is still a friendly. What really counts are the qualifiers.

"But I was pleased we avoided the stupid, unnecessary fouls. The players implemented that in exemplary fashion."