Germany aware of expectations

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff says his team are aware of the high expectations on their shoulders for Euro 2012.

Beaten by Spain in the Euro 2008 final, Germany are again one of the favourites for the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, which starts on Friday.

Bierhoff warned his team to be careful and continue working hard, adding they knew what was expected of them.

“Spain belong to the big favourites. Everybody talks about Spain and Germany, and how we will meet in the final,” Bierhoff told reporters.

“I can only advise to remain calm, though. Netherlands are very strong, and France have not lost in the past 20 matches.

“The expectations are incredible in Germany. However, the higher expectations get, the bigger the risk to be disappointed.

“We had a very young team in 2010 and we were without our skipper. We have shown what we are capable of in the games against Holland and Brazil, and during our qualification campaign.

“However, we’ve also shown during our preparations that we’re not there yet. We are working on our flaws. I know that this team has a lot of potential.”

Germany, drawn in Group B at Euro 2012, start their campaign with a clash against Portugal, before meetings with the Netherlands and Denmark.

Striker Miroslav Klose, 33, said he was looking forward to Germany’s opening match.

“They are very strong but we are too and it’s going to be a nice game,” the Lazio goalscorer said.

“I’ve worked hard to be fit and my legs are still carrying me so I’ll still drag my body through.”