Reus: Winning Euro 2012 is down to us

Germany forward Marco Reus believes the destiny of the Euro 2012 title is in his team’s hands after their 4-2 demolition of Greece in last night’s quarter-final.

The way Joachim Low’s side broke down a defensive Greece team to set a new world record of consecutive wins in competitive matches last night has given the Germans even more self-confidence and Reus, like his team-mates, is brimming with belief.

Fifteen wins in a row since losing in the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup have propelled Germany into the role of favourites, which Reus reckons is fully justified.

“The destiny of Euro 2012 is in our hands,” said the 23-year-old, who marked his first appearance in Poland and Ukraine with a goal last night.

“Our aim before the tournament was to win the title and we have improved game by game.

“Like I say, winning Euro 2012 is just down to us.”

Italy or England are up next for the Germans and Reus, who moves within the Bundesliga from Borussia Monchengladbach to defending champions Borussia Dortmund this summer, does not fear one over the other.

Instead, he feels their opponents should be more concerned about how strong Germany are at present.

“Personally I don’t care who we play,” he said. “We know that we are a strong team and we will be relaxed watching their quarter-final because we don’t care – bring them on.

“England have improved a lot in this tournament and they now have an important player back with Wayne Rooney and they are an excellent team, but I feel we are a better team with better individuals.”

Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle agreed that the focus should not be on who Germany face in the last four, but what they can achieve themselves this summer.

“If we perform to our best, then it is hard for any team against us, whether that be Italy or England,” he said.

“England are very defensive and compact in a 4-4-2 formation and they try to hit you on the counter, and now they have Rooney, who is very important to them.

“Italy have surprised me a little with very good attacking and they have created plenty of chances.

“Both have strengths and also weaknesses and we will try to capitalise. We always try to impose our own game, regardless of our opponents.”

Germany’s strength in depth has been key at Euro 2012, with coach Low able to make three changes to his side yesterday and present arguably the most effective performance of the tournament so far.

Reus and Schurrle could find themselves back on the bench again in the semi-finals, but both are confident Low will find the right blend for their next opponents.

“The coach has faith in all of us to perform and that could be the ace in our pack,” Schurrle said.

“He is a very good coach and prepares us very well for games. He has a precise plan and philosophy, is very diligent and leaves nothing to chance.

“You can be successful with a coach like him and it is great to work with him.”

Success, after two third-place finishes and one runners-up berth in the last three major tournaments, appears to be something Germany are subscribed to and Schurrle expects them to keep living up to the expectations.

Those expectations are now to go one better than at Euro 2008 and get their hands on some silverware for the first time since 1996.

“We have reinforced our strengths and potential, won all our games and deservedly so,” 21-year-old Schurrle added.

“We are very self-confident and aim to get into the final and win it, and I think we have justified our favourites’ billing.”