FIFA World Cup Gossip: Loew’s Special Sweater

Germany coach Joachim Loew has revealed that he will wear the same sweater as long as his team are in the World Cup.

Loew has been conspicuous at the touchline, and in the dugouts, by his blue sweater, that has created quite a buzz around it.

“The thing with the sweater is that I am not driven by superstition,” Loew joked. “The other coaching staff said I should be wearing the sweater now because every time I wear it we score four goals.”

Germany beat England 4-1 in the second round and reached the semi-finals following a 4-0 demolition of Argentina, with Loew donning the V-necked garment each time.

“I am not even allowed to wash it now and I think I will wear it again (against Spain),” he said.

Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger also hoped to see his coach wearing it at Durban Stadium.

“I do not know how many sweaters he has that are blue. But I hope he has the one or two left in his suitcase,” he said.

Loew has already gone on record saying that Spain can never be taken lightly, and has been quoted as saying that Soain have several Messis.

Schweinsteiger, too, is wary about the remaining games. The Germans face European champions Spain in Wednesday’s semi-final in Durban hoping to improve on their 2006 exit at the same stage when they hosted the tournament and a defeat by the Spaniards in the Euro 2008 final in Vienna.

The talismanic player knows that a return to Berlin without a trophy will be heart-breaking for himself. Considered a veteran already though he is only 26, he said, “Going back to Berlin to celebrate in front of hundreds of thousands was special. In 2006 we finished third and in 2008 we were second so it is clear that something is missing and we hope to fill that gap,” said Schweinsteiger.

“I don’t want to go back there with nothing to show — I’ve done that twice already,” he said.

The midfielder believes that since that loss in the Euro finals, Germany have closed the gap between themselves and Spain. The fact that the Germans virtually have a new team, whereas Spain have almost the old one has not slipped his notice.

“If you look at it on paper there is no doubt they are the better side but maybe now we have a better chance,” he added.

“Now we have fresh faces and different characters — an unencumbered state of mind. Spain have not changed so much. Sergio Busquets in for Marcos Senna is maybe the only real change whereas we have many, many newcomers.

“Spain haven’t really dazzled in the way that their fans might have hoped but they have still been winning. We need another tactical masterpiece,” said Schweinsteiger.

Though Spain were the pre-tournament favorites, and Germany have the third-youngest side of the World Cup, the Germans have outclassed most of their opponents and created quite a buzz with their faultless tactics and telepathic passing. Will the talisman Klose equal the Brazilian Ronaldo’s World Cup record for most goals scored? Can Germany truly make it to the finals and go one better than their Euro progress? All will be clear, in a couple of exciting days.