BERLIN: Germany can win the 2014 World Cup, team manager Oliver Bierhoff believes, pointing to the presence of three Bundesliga sides in the Champions League last 16 to support his assertion.
“Naturally we want and we can win the title,” he said in an interview in the German weekly Focus on Saturday.
“We’ve got lots of young players blessed with enormous potential, we’ve learned from the mistakes at Euro 2012 and because the international experience we’ve gained will give our ambitious team an extra boost.
“And with the excellent performances of Dortmund, Schalke and Bayern Munich in the Champions League the expectations regarding the Mannschaft have certainly increased.” Bierhoff reckons coach Joachim Loew has considerable tactical and strategic possibilities with young attacking players like Mario Goetze, Marco Reus, Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller and Julian Draxler at his disposal.
Germany can “develop a totally new system based on the successful model of Spain or Barcelona,” he suggested.
Germany can win World Cup, says Bierhoff
Germany can win World Cup, says Bierhoff
Sabalenka, Swiatek withdraw from WTA 1000 event in Dubai
- Aryna Sabalenka has not played since losing the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina last month
- Iga Swiatek was in action this week in Doha but failed in her bid for a fourth Qatar Open title
PARIS: Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, the world’s top two players, have both pulled out of next week’s WTA 1000 event in Dubai, tournament organizers announced.
Sabalenka has not played since losing the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina last month.
“I’m really sorry I have to withdraw from Dubai,” said the Belarusian in a statement released by organizers on Friday.
“I have such a special connection with the tournament, the fans and the city. Unfortunately, I am not feeling 100 percent. But I hope to be back next year and wish the tournament a great event.”
Swiatek was in action this week in Doha but failed in her bid for a fourth Qatar Open title, losing to Maria Sakkari in the quarter-finals.
“I am sorry to announce that I will not be playing Dubai this year due to a change of schedule,” said the six-time Grand Slam champion.
The first round in Dubai gets under way on Sunday.
