The German national team, with a very impressive Per Mertesacker at the centre of defence, beat Wales 2:0 to solidify their place at the top of Group D in qualifying for the Euro 2008 tournament. The win sees Joachim Loew’s side clear at the top of their group with 22 points ahead of the Czech Republic (17) and the Republic of Ireland (14). The Irish will be Germany’s next qualifying opponents when Loew’s men travel to Dublin on October 13th. Before that the German’s will play Romania in a friendly on Wednesday evening.

“The constellation in the group is fantastic”, remarked trainer Joachim Loew: “The pressure to win at all costs is gone now. I am totally satisfied with the result.”

31,000 fans at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff saw the visitors take control from the outset despite being without Germany’s ‘Player of the Year’ Mario Gomez who had to pull out with flu. With just five minutes on the clock, Miroslav Klose popped up to poke home a Kevin Kuranyi delivery and notch up his 34th goal in 70 games for his national side – the Bayern Munich striker was captain on the night.

The German side completely controlled the game and delegated the flow of play with a strong midfield performance. Kuranyi had the chance to double Germany’s lead in the 23rd minute but was denied as he attempted to shoot. The Schalke striker proved to be just seconds too late to meet a Klose delivery in the 39th minute. The best chances before the break for Wales came through Jason Koumas (15’) and Freddy Eastwood (45’).

At the break, Joachim Loew brought Christian Pander to replace Hamburg’s Piotr Trochowski. The German’s remained in control and had chances through Robert Hilbert and Sebastian Schweinsteiger before Miroslav Klose struck again on the hour to make it 2:0, heading home a Hilbert cross. The former Bremen man almost completed his hat-trick ten minutes later but missed out narrowly. The striker was substituted in the 87th minute after a job well done and Germany played out the win at their leisure.