By Jens Mende, dpa
Evian-les-Bains, France (dpa) – Germany full-back Jonas Hector resumed training on Thursday and coach Joachim Loew will have his full 23-man squad available for Saturday’s Euro 2016 quarter-final with Italy.
«Jonas Hector was able to train today, everybody is fit,» team manager Oliver Bierhoff told a news conference.
«The players are excited about this game, determined and focused.»
Hector had been troubled by flu while centre-back Jerome Boateng, who has received treatment for an injury throughout the tournament, said his calf was «fine» and it «wouldn’t be an issue» against Italy.
Germany last won the Euros 20 years ago to the day in 1996 when Bierhoff scored a golden goal against the Czech Republic after being brought off the bench.
«The team spirit of Germany is better than it was in 1996, there are no cliques, everyone is working for one goal,» Bierhoff said.
«It is possible that someone, like I did, could get the decisive goal after coming on as a substitute. I hadn’t played that much before the golden goal.»
If Germany are to progress to the semi-finals, against France or Iceland, they must beat Italy for the first time ever at a major tournament.
«History means nothing, there’s nothing we can do about the fact that Germany have never beaten Italy in a tournament match,» midfielder Toni Kroos said.
Boateng, like central defensive partner Mats Hummels, will miss a potential semi-final if booked, as will team-mates Sami Khedira, Joshua Kimmich and Mesut Oezil.
«I will go into this game like any other,» Boateng said. «The yellow card doesn’t play a role.»
