Coach Joachim Löw has insisted his side have nothing to fear ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against World Cup finalists the Netherlands in Hamburg as they look to finish 2011 in style.

After winning all 10 of their Euro 2012 qualifiers and humbling Brazil in an August friendly, Löw is looking for Germany’s first win over the Dutch since 1996 in what will be his 75th international as national team coach.

Coach Joachim Löw donated his lucky sweater from the 2010 World Cup to a children’s charity, which then sold it for €1 million to retailer Galeria Kaufhof, which then donated it to a German football museum being built by the German Football Federation (DFB).

“I hope that the pullover will have a worthy place in the museum and will be well looked after,” said Löw as he handed over the cashmere sweater.

“Maybe I will still need it to bring me luck in other tournaments.”

Bundesliga coaches expressed surprise and understanding on Thursday for the decision by Ralf Rangnick to resign as Schalke coach because of exhaustion.

Germany coach Joachim Loew said the decision by the 53-year-old coach was “courageous and right.”

In a statement through the German football federation, Loew said: “It shows strength when you sense the batteries are empty and you admit it openly.

“As surprising as his reaction is for everybody it is consistent because he has made it clear that health comes above everything. I wish Ralf a swift recovery.”

Coach Joachim Löw said Germany’s last-minute 2-2 friendly draw with Poland has given his players a wake-up call as defensive problems loomed again, while the hosts were left to rue the win that got away.

A 94th-minute goal from Brazil-born striker Cacau spared Germany’s blushes in Gdansk on Tuesday and denied Poland a historic first win over the Germans at the 17th attempt after the hosts took a dramatic 2-1 lead in the 91st minute.

Coach Joachim Löw is set to make seven changes to his side for Tuesday’s friendly against Poland in Gdansk, with Mesut Özil, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Manuel Neuer among those being rested.

Having all played in the 6-2 victory over Austria on Friday night which confirmed Germany’s place at Euro 2012, none of the trio made the trip to Poland, while defender Benedikt Hoewedes was also left behind with a groin strain.

“We have ready-made replacements for every position,” said Löw, who also admitted his delight at being able to give fringe players a chance after Germany secured their place at the Euro 2012 finals.

Philipp Lahm has been warned by the German Football Association (DFB) about his future conduct after causing irritation with his soon-to-be-published biography.

Excerpts from the book have been published in the Bild newspaper over recent days and his criticism of former Germany coaches Rudi Voller and Jurgen Klinsmann have not gone down well.

The DFB will discuss the issue with Lahm ahead of next week’s international matches against Austria and Poland and warned the full-back that he has overstepped the mark. However, taking the captaincy away from Lahm was not considered, despite speculation in the German media.

Michael Ballack, a towering figure in German football for the past decade, is no longer part of the national squad after 98 appearances for his country.

The national football federation (DFB) made the announcement on Thursday, ending months of speculation over the midfielder’s playing future on the world stage.

“I have discussed things openly with Michael Ballack, most recently in our meeting at the end of March 2011 and in numerous phone calls since then,” coach Joachim Löw said.

“With the Euro 2012 season about to start the time has come for me to make a clear statement.”

Coach Joachim Löw has named Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Marco Reus as the only rookie in the German national squad for three upcoming international matches.

Germany face Uruguay in a friendly match in Hoffenheim at the end of the month before travelling to Vienna to face Austria and to Baku to play Azerbaijan in Euro 2012 qualifiers in the first week of June.

Reus is one of 23 players in Löw’s squad and the list also includes Simon Rolfes, returning after a long injury absence. However, there is still no sign of former team captain Michael Ballack.