The countdown is on. The draw for the European Championships 2016 will be made on Saturday at 18:00 CET, and Die Mannschaft are in pot 1. Which teams await Germany and Löw in the group stage? In an interview, the Germany coach looks back on the last visit to France and the upcoming tournament.
Question: Mr. Löw, what have you been doing ahead of the draw for the European Championship?
Joachim Löw: The return to Paris for the draw will be special for me. I think that I will pay my respects for what happened on 13th November and to the immediate family of those lost. The whole DFB delegation will go. I hope that our French hosts can return to normality as soon as possible. They are a big and traditional footballing nation. With the EURO draw at the weekend, football will come more into focus again. France are an amazing host, and will be for both this weekend and the competition itself. To look ahead, the European Championships are also something to look forward to. As with all the partakers in Paris, we want to represent our way of life, meaning openness, tolerance, respect, solidarity and freedom. We will not surrender these values.
Question: One of those assisting with the draw will be Oliver Bierhoff. Does he have any specific requests from you?
Löw: Oliver did well at the World Cup draw in Saint Petersburg, he has practice. But honestly, I really don’t mind who we get drawn against. What’s more important is that we put in place concrete plans and preparation for the competition directly after the draw.
Question: How decisive is who you come up against in the group?
Löw: The opposition is not important, it’s how we play that counts. It’s all down to us. I am confident as we have so often proved that we are in the position to use our time wisely to prepare. As coach, my greatest pleasure is to play in competitions and that starts from the very first game. We are cautious of every opponent. We will prepare sufficiently for every match, regardless of who we get in the draw.
Question: The EUROs have been increased top 24 teams. How will this change the character of the tournament?
Löw: I found having 16 teams in the competition better and thought it was a more attractive prospect for fans. I can, however, see positives for smaller nations to qualify. At the end of the day it will always be the stronger teams that progress. It doesn't really make a difference to me, though, whether it’s 16 or 24.
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The countdown is on. The draw for the European Championships 2016 will be made on Saturday at 18:00 CET, and Die Mannschaft are in pot 1. Which teams await Germany and Löw in the group stage? In an interview, the Germany coach looks back on the last visit to France and the upcoming tournament.
Question: Mr. Löw, what have you been doing ahead of the draw for the European Championship?
Joachim Löw: The return to Paris for the draw will be special for me. I think that I will pay my respects for what happened on 13th November and to the immediate family of those lost. The whole DFB delegation will go. I hope that our French hosts can return to normality as soon as possible. They are a big and traditional footballing nation. With the EURO draw at the weekend, football will come more into focus again. France are an amazing host, and will be for both this weekend and the competition itself. To look ahead, the European Championships are also something to look forward to. As with all the partakers in Paris, we want to represent our way of life, meaning openness, tolerance, respect, solidarity and freedom. We will not surrender these values.
Question: One of those assisting with the draw will be Oliver Bierhoff. Does he have any specific requests from you?
Löw: Oliver did well at the World Cup draw in Saint Petersburg, he has practice. But honestly, I really don’t mind who we get drawn against. What’s more important is that we put in place concrete plans and preparation for the competition directly after the draw.
Question: How decisive is who you come up against in the group?
Löw: The opposition is not important, it’s how we play that counts. It’s all down to us. I am confident as we have so often proved that we are in the position to use our time wisely to prepare. As coach, my greatest pleasure is to play in competitions and that starts from the very first game. We are cautious of every opponent. We will prepare sufficiently for every match, regardless of who we get in the draw.
Question: The EUROs have been increased top 24 teams. How will this change the character of the tournament?
Löw: I found having 16 teams in the competition better and thought it was a more attractive prospect for fans. I can, however, see positives for smaller nations to qualify. At the end of the day it will always be the stronger teams that progress. It doesn't really make a difference to me, though, whether it’s 16 or 24.
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