WARSAW – Germany coach Joachim Loew has admitted title talk is cheap after his young team showed plenty of potential at Uefa Euro 2012, but came up short when it mattered in their 2-1 semifinal defeat to Italy.Italy striker Mario Balotelli broke German hearts on Thursday with a first-half header and a rasping drive to leave the Germans on the ropes and 2-0 down at the break.Germany bounced back and gave themselves a faint lifeline with a 92nd-minute penalty from Mesut Ozil, but it was too little, too late.For all their promise as one of the pre-tournament favourites, along with Spain, after winning all ten of their Uefa Euro 2012 qualifying matches, Loew’s team had their 15-match winning streak in competitive matches abruptly ended by the Italians.The solid defence the Germans are known for was exposed by Balotelli’s power and pace, while the silky skills of midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ozil fell short against the Italian midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Riccardo Montolivo.Ozil was only one of several Germans who lost out in comparison with the street-wise Italians, but Loew, who is under contract until the 2014 World Cup, said Germany’s time will come.“That’s all part of the development of the team. You can’t get a title by just talking about it,” said the 52-year-old. “Spain had to wait a long time (to win the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008).“In the second-half, we did everything we could to turn the game around. We played with real heart. “Apart from the defeat, this tournament was very good and it’s a learning process.
