Lowpoint would not lead to Low’s dismissal, says Germany chief

His side go into the tournament as one of the favourites, but a 5-3 defeat to Switzerland a week ago and a far from impressive 2-0 win over Israel in midweek has dampened some of the enthusiasm ahead of today’s flight out to Poland.

Germany also lost to France earlier this year and have made it clear that their priority at Euro 2012 will be to come through a group which includes Holland, Portugal and Denmark.

If they fail to manage that, though, Low will not be made to pay, according to the German Football Association’s technical director Matthias Sammer.

“The outcome surely could not be so catastrophic that the high-quality job that Jogi has done over such a long period of time can be seen in a different light without success at the European Championships,” said Sammer.

“In the event of that happening, we would just have to go through a difficult phase with this national team coach.”

Low has been in charge of Germany since Jürgen Klinsmann stepped down after the 2006 World Cup.

Germany finished runners-up at the 2008 European Championship before coming third at the World Cup in South Africa two years ago, ensuring they are once again regarded as one of the contenders for the title in Poland and Ukraine this month.

Bastian Schweinsteiger will board the plane which takes Germany to Poland today after being given the all-clear to return to full training.

The Bayern Munich midfielder had become a doubt for Euro 2012 after missing Thursday’s final warm-up match against Israel due to a calf injury, but fears he may not be fit enough to play in Poland and Ukraine have been allayed by the national team’s doctor.

“Bastian has absolutely no problems anymore,” said Dr Muller-Wohlfahrt. “He has no pain.

“He will continue to receive treatment, but we expect him to train again with the team (today).”

The 27-year-old still needs a bit of time to get up to speed with his 22 colleagues, but there should be no problems about him taking to the field in Germany’s first group game against Portugal on June 9.

After facing Portugal, Germany then clash with Holland before finishing the group stage against Denmark on June 17.

All three of Germany’s group games will be staged in Ukraine, but they have nevertheless opted to keep their first choice of accommodation, the Hotel “Dwor Oliwski” close to Gdansk.