Defender Christoph Metzelder does not feel Germany ever managed to find top gear during Euro 2008 and is hoping for an improved showing in the World Cup in two years' time.
Although they reached a record sixth European Championship final, Germany lost
to Croatia during the group stages, were hugely fortunate to get past Turkey in
the semi-finals and were then beaten by Spain in Sunday's final.
A runners-up spot is still something to be proud of but Metzelder believes
Germany were much more impressive at the 2006 World Cup, where they finished
third, and during qualifying for Euro 2008.
'We still have a very young team and I don't think that in this tournament we
were able to show the quality that we did in 2006 and qualification,' said the
Real Madrid defender.
'We had to fight very hard to reach this final. I think we have much more
quality to show and we have to improve as a team.
'We now have two years to qualify for the World Cup and try to reach the final
again.'
Germany begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against Liechtenstein on
September 6.
Several other Germany players echoed Metzelder's thoughts.
Midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger said: 'We've got things to improve on and I'm
sure we will. Then we'll see how it goes in two years' time when we go to South
Africa.'
Fellow midfielder Torsten Frings added: 'We have to improve in almost every
part of our team, but that doesn't mean that everything was bad - we reached the
final of the European Championship.'
Defender Per Mertesacker said: 'We hope that we can improve from these games
and learn from them. We are still a young side and a good squad that wants to
improve.
'We have reached a point where you can say 'It's not the end'.'
None of the Germany players begrudged Spain their victory at the Ernst Happel
Stadion in Vienna, though.
Joachim Low's side enjoyed a promising start to the final but Spain gradually
fought their way back into the contest before Fernando Torres' fine finish in
the 33rd minute.
After that there only looked likely to be one winner as Spain dominated
possession, created chances and barely allowed Germany a chance.
'It's very disappointing, but the better side won - they deserved to win the
title,' added Hitzlsperger.
'It was quite difficult. We started very well but after the first goal [it was
tough].
'Their passing ability is really good. They hardly give the ball away, don't
make any mistakes and you've got to chase the ball.
'That's a tough thing because then you get tired towards the end of the game
when you need the strength and the power, and you don't have it any more because
they pass the ball so well.'
Spain's victory in Vienna extended their winning streak to 12 matches and their
unbeaten run to 22 games, but Hitzlsperger believes only time will tell if the
Iberian nation can continue being Europe's dominant team over the next few
years.
'They've won this tournament and they deserved to win it, but if they will be
the best team in Europe for years to come, you don't really know,' the former
Aston Villa player said.
'They've got really good players, most of them are very young still but it's
always difficult to progress in the same manner. They've done well, but we'll
see how it goes.'
