High-flying Germans out to down Danes

GDANSK, Poland (AFP) –

German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger during the Euro 2012 match against the Netherlands on June 13. Germany are aiming to beat Denmark on Sunday in Lviv to finish top of Group B and set up a quarter-final near their base in Gdansk.

After two wins already at Euro 2012, a confident Germany are aiming to beat Denmark on Sunday in Lviv to finish top of Group B and set up a quarter-final near their base in Gdansk.

Having twice flown to the Ukraine for their respective wins against Portugal and Holland, Germany return to Lviv aiming to beat the Danes and book their place in the Gdansk quarter-final on Friday against the Group A runner-up.

The Germans still need a point to qualify with the Group B runner-up facing a last eight clash in Warsaw on Thursday against the winner of Group A.

With three goals at Euro 2012, including two against Holland and the winning header against Portugal, Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez has finally converted his impressive club form to German colours.

“The good thing with Mario is that he needs almost zero chances and still scores,” said Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who described Gomez’s goals as a “precious commodity” for the Germans.

Teams for the Euro 2012 Group B match between Denmark and Germany on June 17.

Following their shock win over Holland and 3-2 defeat to Portugal, victory against Germany should put Denmark in the quarter-finals, but a draw would be enough if the Netherlands beat Portugal in the other group match in Kharkiv.

But Schweinsteiger and Germany have other ideas.

“We can approach the final game against Denmark with a lot of self-confidence – every victory gives you an extra push,” said the 27-year-old.

“We definitely want to win that game against Denmark.”

Germany coach Joachim Loew said his side have their destiny in their own hands after two wins in the “Group of Death”.

“I think we’ve opened the door to the quarter-finals. It’s now in our hands to make everything clear on Sunday,” he said.

Germany will be without suspended right-back Jerome Boateng, who picked up his second yellow card against Holland, and Loew has hinted he may switch captain Philipp Lahm from the left or even play a three-man defence.

Danish forward Nicklas Bendtner during the Euro 2012 match against Portugal on June 13. Bendtner said his team have to show plenty of belief against the Germans.

Midfielder Mesut Ozil missed training on Friday “as a precautionary measure”, but is set to play after his man-of-the-match performance against Portugal in the opening game.

The 23-year-old Real Madrid attacking midfielder has been in stellar form at the European championship and also impressed in Wednesday’s win over Holland.

Danish wing Dennis Rommedahl will miss the game against Germany while midfielder Niki Zimling is a doubt after the pair suffered muscle injures in the 3-2 defeat to Portugal.

“We are left with the number of points we had hoped for after the first two matches,” said Danish coach Morten Olsen, whose team came back from 2-0 down against Portugal only to fall foul of Silvestre Varela’s late winner.

“The scenario of our dreams would be to have one more point.

“That could have been the case, but you don’t always have it your way in football.”

Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner – who scored both their goals against the Portuguese – said his team have to show plenty of belief against the Germans.

“It’s nice to know that we still stand a chance in this tournament,” he said.

“We will have to do everything we can to get a good result against Germany. We are still in it.

“If we win against Germany, we are through. If we draw, other things must go our way. If we lose, we are out.”