German World Cup football team returns home quietly (Roundup)

By Klaus Bergmann and Jens Mende Jul 12, 2010, 12:12 GMT

Frankfurt - The German national team returned home early Monday from a third-place finish at the World Cup, and the players went straight on holiday instead of saluting their fans.

There had been disappointment when the team said there will be no reception at the Berlin fan mile. Several hundred fans came to Frankfurt airport, but were snubbed by the players who left through a side door after a short meeting with Mayor Petra Roth.

'They are not playing for themselves but for Germany,' said one airport staffer, who also failed to get a glimpse of the players.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger thanked the fans for their great support but like coach Joachim Loew and the other players he was happy to go on holiday after thrilling the nation and many football fans worldwide with attractive attacking football.

Bayern Munich revelation Thomas Mueller was told in mid-air during the 10-hour flight from Johannesburg that he was World Cup top scorer with five goals and three assists, and named best young player of the tournament as well.

'Of course I am delighted to win the Golden Boot 40 years after Gerd Mueller,' said Thomas Mueller of the top scorer honour and his famous predecessor and namesake from 1970.

Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff said 'we are happy to be home again' after almost two months of pre-World Cup training and the June 11-July 11 tournament itself.

Loew will now decide on his future and the players can enjoy a break before pre-season club training and the next Germany match on August 11, a friendly with Denmark.

The first Euro 2012 qualifier is also less than two months away, a September 3 date with Belgium in Brussels followed four days later by a match against Berti Vogts' Azerbaijan.

Turkey, Kazakhstan and Austria complete the group from which only the winner qualifies directly for the 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine.

'The group is not so easy. But I am convinced that we will prevail,' said defender Arne Friedrich.

His central defence partner Per Mertesacker named it 'perverse that you have new aims in four weeks time ... you are condemned to win again.'

Who will be captain then remains to be seen. First choice Michael Ballack will have recovered from an ankle injury but World Cup skipper Philipp Lahm has already said he will not voluntarily hand back the armband.

However, Lahm has other priorities first, trying to recover from a bout of flu (that sidelined him for Saturday's 3-2 third-place win over Uruguay) in time for his wedding on Wednesday.

'I hope to be top fit then. Family and friends are invited, around 100 guests in all. Of course I am looking forward to the wedding, you have that just once in your life,' said Lahm.