Lahm: Germany not on par with Spain...yet

FormerGermanycaptainPhilipp Lahmbelieves the reigning world champions still have some work to do before they can claim to be on a par withSpain.
Vicente del Bosque's men won three major tournaments in a row between 2008 and 2012 before they were dethroned as world champions by Germany this summer but Lahm insists that - despite their group stage exit in Brazil - Spain remain the finest team on the planet.
"I don't think that people can already compare us with Spain. They won three titles in a row," Lahm was quoted as saying bySport Bild.
"Only when Germany can achieve something similar can we say that Germany are the new benchmark.
"For me, Spain remain the team to beat at the moment and also at Euro 2016."
Lahm also reflected on Germany's performances over the past decade and stressed that it all started with a disappointing Euro 2004 campaign.
"Germany have gone through a lot to get here. I still remember the group-stage elimination at Euro 2004, which was a huge disappointment.
"We learned a lot, though, and developed as a team in the following years. There was the semi-final at the 2006 World Cup, the final at Euro 2008 and semi-finals at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
"The road to the World Cup title was a long one."