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Low plays down Dutch rivalry

rss logoMonday 14th November 2011 17:05

Joachim Low: Germany and Holland are among the favourites for Euro 2012

Joachim Low: Germany and Holland are among the favourites for Euro 2012

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Germany coach Joachim Low believes his country's rivalry with Holland has lost its edge ahead of their friendly on Tuesday.

Germany boss insists friendly will have no impact on Euro 2012

Germany coach Joachim Low believes his country's rivalry with Holland has lost its edge ahead of their friendly on Tuesday.

The two sides have met on several occasions, including Germany's 2-1 final victory at the 1974 World Cup and an ill-tempered encounter in the last 16 of the 1990 finals.

But as the teams again prepare to face each other in a friendly in Hamburg, Low does not think the bitter competition between the two nations is still as fierce.

"Germany versus Netherlands is always something special," he said. "There have been extremely tough and bitter fights between the two teams but that has changed a bit."

Test

He added: "I think the rivalry has lost some of its weight. Back then there were very tough games.

"Back then there were incidents in a lot of games but today these do not happen so much.

"There are now lots of Dutch players in the Bundesliga, who have made Germany their second home.

"It is a test game for both teams. This game has no influence on next year's (Euro 2012) tournament.

"So both teams will be sensible but also with the will to win. But not with an over-the-top aggression."