Loew helps Germans forget Klinsmann with sparkling start

BERLIN, Oct 8 (Reuters) Joachim Loew has helped Germans quickly forget the shock departure of Juergen Klinsmann after the World Cup with the best start any coach has had in the country's history.

Germany's 2-0 victory against Georgia yesterday was their fourth straight under Loew, who succeeded Klinsmann after the World Cup finals where the hosts finished third.

''What makes me happy is that in these last four matches we've shown that we were not only able to play well at the tournament but also kept going strong right after that,'' Loew said after the win in a friendly against Georgia at Rostock.

Germany have won four straight and outscored opponents 19-0 since Loew took over.

''What makes me happy is that we're still playing attacking football and are always able to score,'' added Loew, Klinsmann's assistant the last two years who had lingered in the shadow of the popular one-time Germany striker until he was promoted.

''It's very satisfying to me,'' said Loew, who had only a modest playing career but has now entered German Football Association (DFB) records with the most successful start. Loew is only the 10th coach Germany has had since 1923.

''We're going to make mistakes,'' he added. ''But the great start after the World Cup shows we have first-rate players.'' Germany have played all but two of their 16 matches in 2006 at home and Loew will hope that strong run can continue on the road when they travel to Bratislava for a Euro qualifier on Wednesday against Group D rivals Slovakia.

Slovakia, who beat Germany 2-0 in Bratislava 13 months ago, crushed Wales 5-1 yesterday.

Loew, clearly more concerned about Slovakia than Georgia, rested regulars Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm, Bernd Schneider, Torsten Frings and goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Defenders Per Mertesacker and Christoph Metzelder were out due to injuries.

''We used a lot of young players and they performed well,'' said Loew, who started newcomers Piotr Trochowski of Hamburg SV and Werder Bremen's Clemens Fritz.

Trochowski was especially impressive in midfield, constantly causing problems for Georgia's well-packed defence.

''Trochowski had an enormous match and really made his mark,'' said Loew of the 22-year-old.

Reuters AB RS1606