An inexperienced German team suffered a self-confidence sapping 3-1 defeat to Slovakia in Sunday’s storm-affected friendly ahead of Euro 2016 as the world champions looked out of sorts.

Slovakia, which will make its European championships debut in Group B alongside Wales, England and Russia next month, deserved its win in Augsburg as Germany coach Joachim Loew fielded four uncapped players.

A heavy storm in Bavaria at half-time meant the break was extended to 35 minutes and it was Slovakia that profited from the soggy second-half conditions by adding its third goal.

Loew was more relieved that none of his players picked up injuries rather than bothered by the result. “I have never experienced such a long half-time break. The pitch wasn’t undangerous and, thank god, nothing happened (injury wise),” said Loew.

“Combinations were impossible at the start of the second-half. We did well in the first half hour, but we had a few problems in defense. You can’t expect everything from the young players, but all four have the necessary quality.”

Germany took an early lead when Mario Gomez converted a penalty, while goals from Marek Hamsik and Michal Duris just before half-time put Slovakia 2-1 up at the break.

A calamitous error by Germany’s replacement goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen then gifted Slovakia’s Juraj Kucka the only goal of the second half.

Center-back Jerome Boateng, who was at the center of an off-field political storm after a right-wing politician said most Germans would not want to have him as a neighbor, was the only member of the Germany team who had started the World Cup final two years ago.

Banners reading “Jerome, move in next to us” showed the feelings of most Germany fans.

Loew gave out new caps, two in each half, to goalkeeper Bernd Leno and Bayern Munich defender Joshua Kimmich, then midfielders Julian Weigl and Julian Brandt.

Schalke’s Leroy Sane made only his second appearance in the attacking midfield role behind Gomez.(SD-Agencies)