Not easy, but Germany satisfied with draw - Summary

Cape Town - Three-time world champions Germany avoided the big names but could - for once - not claim to have got the luck of the draw in Cape Town on Friday. Joachim Loew watched as Australia, Serbia and Ghana were pulled out of the pots, leaving the coach to prepare for a task in South Africa which will not be as easy-looking as past tournaments.

On paper it least it looks a more difficult task than the 2006 draw on home soil when the hosts were in a group with Ecuador, Poland and Costa Rica.

"We are looking forward to the tournament. We have an interesting group," Loew said.

"We played Australia at the Confederations Cup (2005), and it was also then (as in 2010) the first game. It will be an important game for us and it will be important to win.

"I have great respect for Serbia. They left France behind them in the qualification and have a strong football-playing team.

"Ghana along with Algeria are the strongest playing side in Africa, and only went out in 2006 in the last 16 to Brazil."

German football federation DFB president Theo Zwanziger said: "I think the DFB can be satisfied with the draw. We have been spared a really tough group but this draw is certainly no guarantee that we will reach the last 16."

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said: "We are pleased we have avoided some opponents. We have got some fighting teams in our group and we will be physically challenged. There have been easier groups (for Germany) at World Cups."

Serbia coach Radomir Antic said he was also satisfied with the draw but Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac - also a Serb - was less happy.

"Germany are the favorites but I have great confidence in my team," Antic said.

"Four, five of my players play in the Bundesliga, so we know German football very well. It is a very interesting group because different footballing cultures will be coming up against each other."

Rajevac meanwhile said: "I am not happy about this group. Germany are the strongest team in Europe and are on paper the favorites but I think Ghana will qualify for the next round."

Australia's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek said: "It's not an easy group. The first game for us against Germany is decisive for us."

Verbeek, who was assistant to countryman Dick Advocaat at Borussia Moenchengladbach, added: "As a Dutchman I know how to beat Germany."

Germany have little experience against any of their group opponents.

Germany defeated Ghana 6-1 in a friendly in 1993 in their only previous meeting, and defeated Australia 4-3 at the 2005 Confederations Cup in their last meeting. At the 1974 World Cup, West Germany were 3-0 winners over the Australians.

Germany have only played Serbia once, winning 2-1 in May 2008.