Germany coach Joachim Loew believes die Mannschaft’s historic World Cup win at Brazil 2014 will be the stepping stone to achieving further future honours.
Mario Goetze’s stunning 113th-minute chest and volley sealed Sunday’s 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina in the final at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium.
Loew said there is more to come with Germany set to have their status on top of the world confirmed by taking over Number One spot when the FIFA rankings are announced on Monday.
The Germans will be the team to beat when qualification for Euro 2016 in France begins in September after Loew again managed to coax eye-catching performances out of a young side at a World Cup.
Thomas Mueller, 24, finishes as their top scorer with five goals in Brazil while Goetze only turned 22 last month.
Attacking midfielder Toni Kroos, 24, and centre-back Mats Hummels, 25, have had outstanding World Cup campaigns.
It leaves world-class goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 28, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who turns 30 in a fortnight, and captain Philipp Lahm, 30 and 36-year-old striker Miroslav Klose as the squad’s senior statesmen.
“I think this title will give us a push for the future, we don’t have many players in the squad above 30, but look at Goetze, Mueller, (Mesut) Ozil and (Marco) Reus, who wasn’t there, so there are a lot of players who can still achieve a lot in their careers,” said Loew.
Germany showed their strength in depth at the Maracana as Andre Schuerrle’s cross was volleyed home by fellow substitute Goetze.
The Germans became the first European team to win a World Cup in the Americas at the sixth attempt without talented Dortmund midfielders Reus, 25, and Ilkay Gundogan, 23, who have an ankle and back injury respectively.
