Germany forward Lukas Podolski is confident his side will be able to finally win the title in the 2014 World Cup, after falling just short in the last three editions.
While Germany came agonizingly close to lifting the World Cup in 2002 (where they lost to Brazil in the final), they finished third in 2006 and 2010.
And Podolski, who is Germany's third most-capped player (with 114 appearances) after Lothar Matthäus (150) and Miroslav Klose (132), says that nothing can stop his side from achieving glory this summer.
"At the World Cup in 2006, our team wasn't a mature one but on the other hand no-one thought that we'd go so far. We reached the third place and it was a sign that we are moving towards the right direction. In the following years we also played very well and now it's time for the next step," he told Fakt.pl.
Despite admitting that Germany have been placed in a very difficult group alongside Portugal, Ghana and USA, Podolski - who made his international debut in 2004 - says he and his teammates have set their eyes on the World Cup trophy.
"We go to Brazil to fight for winning the title. It will not be easy because we have a difficult group. If we go through, then each game will be like a final for us. We will fight."
Meanwhile, playmaker Mesut Ozil says he ought to get more respect from the Germany fans.
The 25-year-old, who was inconsistent at Arsenal last season, was booed by a section of fans during Germany's pre-World Cup friendly against Cameroon.
And the former Real Madrid man subtlety hinted that he deserves more respect from fans as he is an "experienced" player now.
"I am no longer a talent but an experienced player who has played in three countries. I take responsibility. The FA Cup win means that I have won three finals. I was voted Germany player of the year three times running and in the team of the year in England - always by the fans - and that is also important to me."
Ozil, who feels he has earned the respect of Joachim Low and Arsene Wenger, says his playing style has changed, compared to the last World Cup.
"I feel that I have the trust of Joachim Low and Arsene Wenger and that I have earned it. I am now 25 years old and at that age every footballer in the world plays in a different way to what he did when he was 21. And, of course, my role at Arsenal is different in so much that I have more responsibility than I did at Real [Madrid]. And I like that."
