Loew salutes German team after third-place victory

STUTTGART, July 8 (Reuters) Germany gave their fans a performance to remember in beating Portugal 3-1 to secure third place in the World Cup, assistant coach Joachim Loew said.

''It's an indescribable feeling to see the way the people are celebrating this here,'' he said.

''It's hard to imagine a bigger party even if we had won the World Cup. We're delighted that we've accomplished what we have against all the resistance.'' The hosts ended the tournament with a flourish, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger scoring two spectacular goals and instigating another when his free kick was turned into his own net by Petit.

''It was a lot of fun, a lot of fun to win 3-1. It's a good conclusion to a great World Cup,'' said Germany defender Christoph Metzelder.

''It was the fans who really lifted us the last two days. We didn't expect to get such a great welcome here in Stuttgart.

They made us really hot for the match.

''Tomorrow on the Brandenburg Gate will be a big highlight we're looking forward to,'' he added of tomorrow's return to Berlin where they will greet fans at the Fan Mile.

REUTERS PDS RAI0342