DISGUSTING AND A NEW LOEW
FURIOUS Sweden have accused the Germans of ‘disgusting behaviour’ after members of Joachim Loew’s backroom team taunted them over Toni Kroos’s last-gasp winner.
Tensions between the countries spilled over after the Real Madrid ace found the net, prompting a shoving match between the two benches.
Two of Loew’s staff, press officer Uli Voigt and logistics manager Georg Behlau, left their own technical area and advanced towards their opponents, making gestures as they went after the dramatic finale.
Behlau was pushed forcibly back from where he came as passions spilled over.
The matter left a nasty taste in the mouth for the Swedes who had been on course to earn a point until Kroos struck.
Swedish boss Janne Andersson said: “They celebrated by running in our direction – rubbing it in our faces, making gestures. That got me angry. “People behaved in ways that were not good. I really was very angry with it.” Midfielder Emil Forsberg, who plays for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, added: “It was disgusting behaviour – there was a total lack of respect.” Hull City’s Seb Larsson added: “I didn’t see it but I’ve been told what happened and it’s not nice to hear – such a big nation behaving like that.
“It’s really up to them. If they want to behave poorly, it’s up to them.
“They can behave any way they want.”
Loew, Germany’s boss was asked about the incident immediately afterwards, but he said he did not see anything untoward.
However, Oliver Bierhoff, the general manager, offered up a reason as to why a couple of members of the German staff were so worked up.
He even admitted becoming involved himself, saying: “Emotions were running high.
“I also had some words with the Swedes. The fact is that such a negative way of playing and so much time-wasting does not deserve to be rewarded.”