Germany need more quality to get back on title trail

By Kevin Fylan

VIENNA (Reuters) - Germany performed as well as anyone could have hoped by reaching the Euro 2008 final but until coach Joachim Loew finds a little more quality they are unlikely to win their first major title since 1996.

Germany's 1-0 defeat by Spain in Sunday's final in Vienna was frustrating in many ways.

Loew's side were comprehensively outplayed by a much more skilful team, as those traditional German virtues the players talked about throughout the tournament proved insufficient to bring them a fourth European crown.

They kept running, kept trying, kept hoping but their poorer technique was ruthlessly exposed by superior opponents.

"We know what we can do and what our strengths are and we'll keep working on improving," Loew told reporters after the final.

"The team did a great job all in all but unfortunately we lost. We just have to accept it."

Loew, of course, must do more than just accept it as he looks ahead to the start of the qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

One of the most pressing questions concerns 38-year-old goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who has yet to make a decision on his international future.