Bierhoff eager to end on a high

Posted Monday, October 12, 2009 by PA

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff is adamant the players will not take their foot off the gas in Wednesday night's final World Cup qualifier against Finland.

Germany made sure of their place in South Africa next summer with a 1-0 win in Russia on Saturday, with Miroslav Klose grabbing the only goal in the first half as the visitors held on despite the sending-off of debutant right-back Jerome Boateng.

"It is extremely important that we carry on the momentum and enthusiasm we showed in the Russia game," Bierhoff told www.dfb.de.

"The fans pay their money and we are obliged to give them a good display.

"Obviously it's not always easy after such a big game to reach 100% motivation once again but I know the players are looking forward to the Finland game.

"They want to get through the group without suffering a defeat, with one draw and nine wins."

Bierhoff was impressed with Germany's backs-to-the-wall win in Moscow and believes it augers well for the future, with several of the starting XI coming through the various youth teams to make it to the senior side.

"It was a clear statement from the squad," he added. "After the last few weeks, in which there was plenty of criticism of the players, it was an important test in order to measure our progression.

"The squad proved that we are among the best sides in the world. And we are glad that we have taken another step in our development.

"Mesut Ozil played an important role and Jerome Boateng made his debut. We had four or five of the European Under-21-winning side in the squad."