Germany coach thinks Spain still as strong

PORTO SEGURO, Brazil (AP) Germany coach Joachim Loew believes defending World Cup champion Spain still has what it takes to win the title.

Loew told reporters at his first news conference since Germany's arrival in Brazil that Spain is ''not past its prime.''

Loew pointed out Thursday that Spain had two clubs in the Champions League final and one in the Europa League final and that it has won its last three tournaments - two European championships and one World Cup.

No European team has even won the World Cup in South America and no team has repeated as champion in 52 years, since Brazil's 1962 title.

But Loew says ''Spain is still hungry to achieve the impossible'' and has players who have been ''playing at the highest level for a long time.''