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.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm will be rested for the friendly games in Ukraine (November, 11th) and against Netherlands in Hamburg (November, 15th) later this month after a busy year for club and country, coach Joachim Löw said on Friday.

Löw said Bayern München’s Lahm had played a lot of 90-minute games and deserved a break. “That is why he gets a rest and I get the chance to test alternatives for the left back position,” Löw said in a statement.

Germany qualified for the Euro 2012 finals in style after winning all 10 of their qualifiers. Löw also gave Bayern München’s keeper Manuel Neuer a one-game break and will use substitutes Tim Wiese and Ron-Robert Zieler against Ukraine.

First choice keeper Neuer will be back in the fold against the Dutch four days later. “We want to finish this successful year on a positive note,” Löw said. “It is also important to play in Ukraine and get experience ahead of the tournament next year.”

Germany coach Joachim Loew has excused midfielder Mario Goetze for the final European Championship qualifier against Belgium on Tuesday.

“Goetze had a lot of games last season and has a lot coming up (for Borussia Dortmund) so we simply decided to give him a bit of a rest,” Loew’s assistant Hansi Flick said Sunday.

Germany tops Group A and has already qualified for next year’s tournament with nine wins from nine games. 

Germany coach Joachim Loew has a potential headache ahead of Friday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Turkey in Istanbul with both key strikers Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose struggling to be fit.

Veteran Klose, who plays for Lazio, broke off training on Wednesday with a painful knee, while Bayern Munich’s Gomez is struggling with a groin strain.

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.

Rising star Mario Goetze will make his first start for Germany in Wednesday’s friendly against five-time World Cup winners Brazil, coach Joachim Löw said on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old will be winning his seventh cap, but will start for the first time as Germany look for their first win over the South Americans in 18 years.

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.