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Denmark End Joachim Löw's Unbeaten Run As Trainer

Rob TurnerMarch 28, 2007

A Very Youthful German Side Lose Out By A Single Goal

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Joachim Löw's unbeaten run may be over, but the Germany coach was happy with his young stars.Image: AP

No Michael Ballack, no Miroslav Klose and no Jens Lehmann: in their place Robert Enke, Simon Rolfes and Roberto Hibert. Including substitutes, a total of 7 players wore national team colours for the first time ever in the friendly against Denmark in Duisburg. As coach Joachim Löw was able to experiment without the pressure of a qualifying match. But Löw paid the price in the end, with his first defeat in charge of the national side. Danish striker Niclas Bendtner scored the only in the 82nd minute after some good wing play by Jesper Groenkjar. However trainer Joachim Löw was happy with his fledgling stars.

"There were a lot of young players out there". Löw commented after the game, adding that the experience was very important for their development. "One day they will have to replace Frings, Ballack or Klose. We took the risk that we might lose the game, but it was great experience for the youngsters", Löw said.

It was the first international game to be played in Duisburg since 1933, and although the fans were a little disappointed at not seeing their heroes from the World Cup, the new, young team did inspire the crowd in the first half with some neat passing movements.

However the tempo dropped a little after the restart as both teams took the meaning "friendly" rather too literally. Not many fouls and not much energy. Denmark, fielding their strongest side had the better of the chances in the 2nd half

The most impressive of the debutants doesn’t even play top-flight football. Patrick Helmes, from 2nd Division Cologne, had 3 great chances despite only coming on late in the game. Helmes said it had been a great honour but he was still disappointed at not winning. "A goal would have topped it off", he smiled and cheekily added he would have to try better in Koblenz on Sunday.

Despite some signs of dissatisfaction from the supporters, a very young and inexperienced Germany side certainly held their own on the international stage – a promising sign for the future.