Die Mannschaft head coach Joachim Low is aware of Greece and what they are capable of.
The Germans have been in tremendous form despite being in a relatively tough group; they recorded three straight wins and eased to the top of ‘The Group of Death’. They cruised to victories against Portugal, Netherlands and Denmark,
scoring five and conceding two goals.
DFB eleven have not won a major trophy since 1996, and are strong favourites to dispossess Spain off their European champions’ title. Germany have so far played like a side that is capable of going all the way but there have been
some suggestions that they are just the best of a bad bunch.
Now that they have qualified for the quarter-finals, they should focus on their upcoming opponents. Die Nationalelf has been drawn against Greece, in the quarter finals. The fixture is expected to be an interesting one. The 2004
European Champions shocked Russia by beating them 1-0 to seal their place in the quarter finals.
Joachim Low believes his side will face a stern test from Fernando Santos’s side, in his opinion the Greeks are masters of ‘efficiency’, who like to sit deep in their own half and will slow down the pace of the game by moving the
ball sluggishly.
"Greece are dangerous opponents, they'll try to play deep and take the pace out of the game. They're masters of efficiency - three chances so far in the tournament and they've taken the lot, that says it all,” he is quoted as saying.
The German tactician cites Greece’s defence as their best trait, which is known to snuff opposition’s attacking threat by suffocating them and doubling up defenders. The 52-year old believes his side will have to be very clinical
if they are to defeat this plucky Ethniki side.
"We know from the past that they can defend incredibly well - it's like chipping away at granite,” he added.
Facing Die Mannschaft will bring extra motivation to Fernando Santos’s side due to this encounter’s political significance. Greeks hold Germany responsible for the contraction of their economy and the economic crisis and will be
looking to knock them out.
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