Champions Germany full of hope

Germany coach Joachim Low says his players are “on fire for the World Cup” and that he has a “very good feeling” going into the tournament in Russia.

Die Mannschaft will start the defence of their trophy at Russia 2018 against Mexico in Moscow on June 17 as they look to progress from Group F, which also includes Sweden and South Korea, and Low says his squad’s desire is as high as it was four years ago.

“I have a very good feeling,” Low said at the team’s training camp in South Tyrol, Italy. “I don’t know what will happen with this golden generation after the tournament. It’s possible there will be a break-up. But all the players are on fire for the World Cup.

“I don’t have to coax new craving or new enthusiasm from the players. The craving and ambition are still there, even among those who became world champions.”

Tougher challenges are likely to await should Germany, one of the perennial pre-tournament favourites, later plot a safe passage towards a return to the Luzhniki Stadium for the final on July 15.

But winger Marco Reus believes the squad have the credentials to go all the way once again.

“Going into the World Cup as reigning champions is obviously never easy,” he said. “I’m sure that if the team finds its rhythm and takes on board the way we want to play, there’s a lot going in Germany’s favour.

“But there’s also no point in already speculating about who we could face in the quarter-finals. No one should underestimate our group with Mexico, South Korea and Sweden, as a lot will be demanded of us in those games.”