‘New-generation’ Germany can avenge Euro 2008 loss to Spain: Klose

DURBAN - Germany striker Miroslav Klose believes that his team’s ‘new generation of players’ can avenge their loss to Spain in the Euro 2008 final when the sides meet again in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final.

Klose was part of an experienced German side that lost the final 1-0, but he said that their World Cup clash would feature “different players and different squads”.

Young players who have impressed in South Africa include, forward Thomas Muller and midfielders Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil.

“Spain is still ruling supreme in Europe, but in terms of quality I think we have improved, big time,” The Telegraph quoted Klose, as saying.

“A few years ago people kept saying that isn’t it a shame there aren’t any new generations coming through. [They said] we have no forwards coming through, no creative midfielders coming through and everybody deplored that, but time has proved these people wrong,” he added.

The 32-year-old also reckons Spain as Germany’s toughest opponent yet at this World Cup, and said that he expects a tougher challenge than the ones provided by England and Argentina in their previous two matches.

“Spain is the best of the three. They play a fantastic game. [The game against Paraguay] has shown us that Spain are not unbeatable, they’re not invincible. There is a slight difference in the way they played between 2008 and now,” Klose added.(ANI)