Hitzlsperger warns against complacency

Thomas Hitzlsperger says Germany should not allow their quarter-final performance against Portugal to lull them into a false sense of security in Wednesday's semi-final with Turkey.

Croatia setback
Germany got their tournament off to a confident start when they overcame Poland 2-0, but followed that success with a below-par display to lose 2-1 to Croatia in Group B. The 26-year-old VfB Stuttgart midfielder is urging his team-mates not to let the same thing happen again after their impressive 3-2 triumph over fancied Portugal last Thursday.

Right approach
"We all know that we played well against Portugal. It was a good showing which surprised a lot of people," Hitzlsperger said. "But we cannot just lean back like after the victory against Poland. It would be a big mistake to do the same thing again. We had a very good approach against Portugal but we have to do the same thing against Turkey if we want to advance."

'Never give up'
Hitzlsperger is expecting an open game in Basel, arguing that Fatih Terim's men rely on many of the qualities which have been prevalent in German football through the years. "Their biggest strength is their mentality," the former Aston Villa FC player said. "It is the same thing that always made German teams so strong. They never give up and always believe in the victory. We are just the same and therefore it will be a very exciting game."

Collective belief
Semi-finalists at the FIFA World Cup on home turf two years ago, Hitzlsperger is confident Germany can go one better this time round. "We are a tight unit, which came together in 2006 at the World Cup and since then has continued to develop," he said. "Along the way, some young players have been added and all have taken on the philosophy of the coach and put it into practice very well. We attack with everything we have, we defend with everything we have, and we all believe in the victory."