Germany out to end third place rut

Rio de Janeiro: Germany captain Philipp Lahm is desperate to avoid his side becoming the eternal third place team as they plot how to beat Brazil in the World Cup semifinal.
While celebrating beating France 1-0 in Friday’s quarter final, Lahm knows a defeat to the hosts on Tuesday in Belo Horizonte would condemn him to a third straight appearance in the third place play-off.
“I really do not need that, that’s something I want to rule out,” joked Lahm, who was on losing teams in semifinals at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup finals.
“We definitely want more, that wasn’t our last appearance in Rio.”
Man-of-the-Match Mats Hummels’ 13th-minute header sealed victory over France. Germany have now reached the semifinals at 13 of the 20 World Cup finals and last failed to reach the last-four at France ’98.
German coach Joachim Loew has reached the semis of all four major tournaments during his eight-year reign and the Germans are eager to return to Rio’s Maracana Stadium for the final on July 13.
And Loew has urged his players “to take the next step” in their bid to end a 24-year wait for a fourth World Cup title by knocking-out Brazil. (AFP)