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Euro 2012

Beckenbauer backs Germany for Euro glory

Germany take on Italy in the semi-finals in Warsaw on Thursday and Der Kaiser reckons his country will face reigning champions Spain for the trophy.

FRANZ BECKENBAUER BELIEVES Germany have the quality to beat any team at Euro 2012.

Joachim Loew’s men impressed with a 4-2 victory over Greece in the quarter-finals, and have now won 15 competitive games in a row as they have set their sights on lifting the European Championship trophy.

“I can hardly see any weak links in the German team. When you’ve won all your competitive games since the semi-final at the 2010 World Cup, you don’t have to fear any opponent,” Beckenbauer said.

“Germany were overwhelming against the Greeks, and could have been 4-0 up at half-time. Their performance was a clear signal towards their rivals for the European title.”

Germany take on Italy in the semi-finals in Warsaw on Thursday and Beckenbauer, who won 103 caps for Germany in the 1960s and 1970s, has tipped his country to face reigning champions Spain for the trophy.

“You could see that the Italians are back and that they totally deserve to be in the semi-final. If they play like they did yesterday it will a difficult task for the German team but one which is solvable,” he said.

“I think that the German team will reach the final. The Portuguese made a good impression from the start of the tournament and it won’t be easy for Spain. I think they’ll have to improve to beat Portugal but I think if everything goes to plan then the final will be Germany versus Spain.”

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