体坛英语新闻：Loew says German squad in "an interesting group"

BERLIN, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- German national soccer team coach Joachim Loew said on Friday that his squad will be in an "interesting group" for the upcoming World Cup.

    In the World Cup group stage draw on Friday for next year's finals in South Africa, Loew's team are designated as top seeds in Group D, and the three-time world champions will play against Australia, Serbia and Ghana in the group stage.

    "We've got an interesting group. We've played Australia, not long ago at the Confederations Cup. It'll be an important match for us, the opening match (in the group). It'll be important to win that," Loew was quoted as saying by the German Football Association after the draw ceremony.

    "I've got a lot of respect for Serbia. They beat France and easily won their group. They've got a lot of good players and they're a very strong team," he said.

    "I wouldn't call Ghana an outsider. They're one of the stronger teams," he added.

    Local German media reported that Loew, his assistant Hansi Flick and team manager Oliver Bierhoff allowed themselves a quick smile once it became clear that Germany would not be coming up against bigger-name sides such as France or Cote d'Ivoire at the first hurdle.

    Germany's opening game will be against Australia in Durban on June 13th. Five days later, the three-time world and European champions meet Serbia in Port Elizabeth, before facing Ghana in their final group match in Johannesburg on June 23rd.

    Germany have been top-seeded at every World Cup since the 1966 finals in England, with the exception of the 1970 tournament in Mexico, when FIFA opted against a seeding system.