Doha (dpa) – Questions to national coach Hansi Flick after the World Cup draw in Doha.
How do you rate the group with opponents Spain, Japan and Costa Rica or New Zealand?
Hansi Flick:The fact that we got into Spain’s group was amazing, I have to talk to Lothar (Matthäus) again. Spain is of course a top favorite for the title too. This is an exciting group with interesting tasks ahead of us. We are happy to know how it starts and are absolutely satisfied.
A few Bundesliga players also play for Japan. How do you see the team at the moment?
flick:Japan is the best Asian team. They are very, very strong. You have players with us in the Bundesliga who are of high quality. It’s not an easy task, especially the first game is often an important step in the tournament for many. You don’t know exactly where you stand. We have to put the performance on the pitch right from the start – I’m happy about that.
If you put a line under it, you really have to get through this group, don’t you?
flick:We should have survived all groups with our goals that we have. We want to get as far as possible. Even if the group had looked different, we would have wanted to progress.
To the third group opponent who has not yet been determined. Do you have a wish?
flick:No, I didn’t have a wish now either. We take it as it comes. I think we can be happy with that. We had Costa Rica in the opening game in 2006, so we have good memories. Now we just wait how they play. Then feel free to ask me again.
They also know when it starts and whether there is still an opportunity for a short training camp beforehand. How far has that progressed?
flick:We have developed an if-then strategy. Now let’s see how to fix it. The quarter is not 100 percent clear yet, so we have to wait a little longer. What we do before that, we have a rough overview. Now it’s about us tying that down at the end.
We’ve heard the accommodation could go far north. That would be a little longer. Is it important to the DFB and you to be isolated there?
flick:It has nothing to do with being isolated. It’s simply about where we have the best conditions. We looked at it, it’s definitely a bit out of the way, and it’s quiet there, you can open the window. You are alone in this hotel. It’s not finalized yet, we’ll have to be patient a little longer.