Joachim Loew has demanded Germany improve for Tuesday’s friendly against Spain in Vigo after slamming another poor performance by the world champions as their post-Brazil hangover continues.
Germany posted a 4-0 win over minnows Gibraltar in Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier, but the impressive scoreline failed to mask another ineffective display from Loew’s team following last month’s shock defeat by Poland and draw with Ireland.
European champions Spain go into the friendly on a high having beaten Belarus 3-0 on Saturday to climb to second in qualifying Group C on 9 points behind Slovakia, who have 12.
“We must show that we can still bring a positive end to the World Cup year with a different performance and a different tension (against Spain),” insisted Loew.
“There have been many tributes and celebrations, but we have to free our minds and draw a line (under the World Cup) by the end of the year.
“A few players will perhaps be happy when the World Cup year is finally over.
“It was to be expected that there would be a drop in tempo after such a big success and that the players would be mentally tired.
“I expect that in the new year, the players will come back after a three-week break fresher both physically and mentally.
“(Against Spain), we want to once again show what we’re made of and, possibly, to win, but it’s certainly not a revenge for our previous defeats (in the Euro 2008 final and World Cup 2010 semi-final).”
Germany has struggled in all five of their internationals since lifting their fourth World Cup title in July, failing to get anywhere near the same level of performance they enjoyed in Brazil.
They lost 4-2 to Argentina in a repeat of the World Cup final in Dussledorf in September, then laboured to a 2-1 home win over Scotland in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
Things went from bad to worse with last month’s shock 2-0 defeat to Poland before Germany conceded a last-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 at home with Ireland.
The results mean they will finish 2014 in the usual position of third in their qualifying group.
For the first time in his seven year reign, the normally mild-mannered Loew was highly critical of his team’s performance against Gibraltar as Germany again produced woeful finishing and failed to convert pressure into goal chances.
The expected goal bonanza against the part-timers failed to materialise in Nuremberg with only a Gibraltar own-goal to show for the entire second-half after Thomas Muller, twice, and Mario Gotze netted in the first 45 minutes.
“I saw nothing from a few of those who could have been imposing,” he said.
“From one or two, who had been given a chance, I had expected more conviction, more drive in front of goal, more threatening play and better finishing.
“I had expected a lot more from Germany.
“We’re not on the right path we need to be on in order to give our opponents some big problems.
“I can’t really be pleased with the result, despite it being a 4-0 win.”
Loew will be without Manuel Neuer in Vigo as the world-class goalkeeper is suffering from discomfort in his right knee, meaning either Borussia Dortmund’s Roman Weidenfeller or Hannover’s Ron-Robert Zieler will start.
The head coach will also be down to his third-choice captain against the European champions after Neuer deputised as skipper for defencive midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Midfielders Andre Schurrle, Marco Reus and Christoph Kramer all missed the Gibraltar win with injury, meaning Loew has just 17 fit outfield players and two goalkeepers for Vigo with no plans for any replacement call-ups.
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
More on animal trafficking
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
MO
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Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Diriyah%20project%20at%20a%20glance
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Landfill in numbers
• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane
• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming
• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi
• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year
• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away
• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition
Tuesday's fixtures
Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
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