Loew delight at qualifying

Germany were the first team to qualify for Euro 2008 and German boss Joachim Loew could not hide his delight after securing their place in the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

"We set ourselves some high goals after last year's World Cup and the team have never waivered from our objectives," said Loew.

"Again and again, the team have proved their motivation and the self-confidence is growing, the team have adopted their own attacking philosphy."

The game may have finished 0-0, but that did not mean any worries for the German boss Loew.

"For us, the matter is now closed, the team did well against Ireland," said Loew.

"We beat the Irish in the first qualifying game last September and now we have qualified with the result in Dublin.

"Full compliments to the team, we have qualified early with a large amount of points and a superb goal difference."

With his side's chances of qualifying growing ever slimmer, Ireland coach Steve Staunton was proud of his side who now must beat Cyprus on October 17 and Wales next month.

"The players did the country proud - we didn't get the rub of the green in the second half and I'm disappointed not to win," said Staunton.

"There were great performances all round and we were just unlucky we didn't score that goal.

"I was pleased with the commitment and the way we got at the Germans."

While Ireland are third in Group D with fifteen points, Germany lead the table on 23 points, unbeaten after nine games and have conceded just four goals, something which Loew admitted he takes great pleasure from.