Ozil: Germany, Spain respect one another

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil said he believes that Spain and Germany hold each other in high regard.

The Germans are widely regarded as one of the likeliest candidates to usurp Spain at the European Championships after an impressive qualifying campaign that saw them win all 10 matches.

Ozil acknowledged that there have been talks inside the Madrid dressing room about the two national teams’ chances in Poland and Ukraine, and noted that Spain’s players are wary of the threat posed by Germany.

“We are starting to make jokes about it in training,” Ozil told reporters at a press conference.

“But they have respect for us just as we have for them.”

“Our goal must be to focus on ourselves and reach our potential. Then we can beat anyone.”

Ozil will return to his old stomping ground when Germany meet France in an international friendly on Wednesday, and he admitted that he cannot wait to return to the Weserstadion after his two-and-a-half year spell at Werder Bremen.

“I am particularly pleased that I am back here in Bremen,” Ozil said.

“I am looking forward to seeing my old friends.”

The 23-year-old attacker then asserted that he has improved as a player since arriving at Madrid in 2010.

“I am glad that I can play at the biggest club in the world. The people there have helped me a lot,” he said.

“I have developed further and have become more mature.”