Minor details high on Löw's blueprint for success

Germany coach Joachim Löw told UEFA.com that having cemented their place as one of the world's best, the Nationalmannschaft must concentrate on the finer points if they are to better the runners-up finish achieved four years ago and triumph at UEFA EURO 2012.

Löw's charges were one of only two nations, along with Spain, to boast a 100% record in qualifying for this summer's tournament and are certain to be among the favourites in Poland and Ukraine. "We have established ourselves in the world's top class and at the highest level it is often only small details which decide whether you win or lose," said the 52-year-old. "If you are at the top and winning a lot of matches it becomes more and more difficult to improve, but it is necessary. That will motivate us and it's a challenge to improve in some areas at a high level."

Löw is also delighted with the current crop of players and how they have adapted since he made the step up from assistant to succeed Jürgen Klinsmann as coach in July 2006. "We have to see that our visions are implemented and that the players understand our approach, our philosophy and how we want to play," said the former VfB Stuttgart, Fenerbahçe SK and FK Austria Wien coach. "The new generation in the last year or two is extremely young, ambitious and hungry for success."

One player almost certain to be on the plane to Poland and Ukraine is Real Madrid CF midfielder Mesut Özil, who said that he feels honoured to represent his country. "In the national team I have the confidence in the coach and the team is there for me," he said. "I enjoy it a lot and I am very proud to play for Germany."

Germany's UEFA EURO 2012 Group B campaign kicks off against Portugal in Lviv on 9 June before games against the Netherlands and Denmark in Kharkiv and Lviv respectively.

Watch the full interviews with Löw and Özil in the video above.