Klose: Germany is focused on Portugal

Posted Wednesday, June 06, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Miroslav Klose has insisted that Germany is focused on its Euro 2012 opener against Portugal on June 9, but added that he has a positive feeling ahead of this summer's tournament.

Joachim Low's side is seen as one of the favorites to lift the trophy on July 1, but the Lazio striker is not looking too far ahead, and insists that he is only thinking of seeing off the Portuguese threat for now.

"The whole team is very serious about this tournament. I am optimistic about our chances, because we are well prepared," Klose stated at a press conference. "Our focus lies on the match against Portugal. Our aim is to have a very good game against them. We have played against Portugal numerous times, but those games cannot be compared [to the one at Euro 2012].

"I think Portugal will have a certain degree of respect for us. We have earned that respect. They are a strong team and so are we. Portugal are not just Cristiano Ronaldo. It is important to play as a team both for them and for us. If they want to beat us, they will have to beat us as a team."

The experienced attacker then stressed that he is doing his utmost to get back to full fitness, and had words of praise for Mario Gomez and Marco Reus, his rivals for a starting spot up front.

"I will be 34 very soon, so I have to do some extra exercises before and after the training sessions. My aim is to get the last 10 or 20 percent out of myself," he said. "I don't feel any pain [after my injury]. Of course I want to reach 100 percent again, but that is difficult at my age.

"The coach has [at least] two options in every position. We make things very easy for him. We constantly show that passion and that will to run. Mario is a superb striker, but I would not underestimate Reus. He can play an important role at this tournament. Both are working very hard. The coach has a tough choice to make."

Germany meets Portugal in Lviv on June 9, before taking on Netherlands four days later and Denmark on June 17.