GERMANY warmed up for the European Championship with a 7-1 rout of Latvia on Monday in its last friendly game before the tournament. Kai Havertz was involved in three of Germany’s five first-half goals before making way for Chelsea teammate Timo Werner for the second half, and Thomas Muller also scored — his first since he was recalled to the team in time for the tournament that starts Friday. Latvia reported a positive result for the coronavirus among the team hours before kickoff. Germany will face tougher opposition in its opening game against world champion France in Munich on June 15. Germany also faces Portugal and Hungary in Group F. But Germany coach Joachim Low can’t have asked for more from his side as it produced a complete and concentrated performance before the team leaves for its tournament base in Herzogenaurach in Bavaria. “It will be difficult to play against us,” said captain Manuel Neuer, who became the first Germany goalkeeper to reach 100 appearances. He was applauded before the game by some 1,000 spectators permitted amid coronavirus restrictions. Low started with his strongest available team in the absence of the injured Leon Goretzka. Antonio Rudiger, Mats Hummels and Matthias Ginter formed the defense, while there were three up front, too, with Muller and Havertz supporting striker Serge Gnabry. (SD-Agencies) |