German national football team are good enough to win the Euro 2008 tournament as they are the best team on the continent right now, German national football icon Franz Beckenbauer has said.

"The German team is currently the best and most consistent team in Europe," Beckenbauer said in an interview published Monday on the website of the German football federation DFB.

Beckenbauer said that the team coach Joachim Loew is "ready to win a title."

Germany qualified for the Euro finals last Saturday with a goalless draw in Ireland, leading the group with an unbeaten run in nine matches (seven wins and two draws).

Beckenbauer captained the team to the first of a record three Euro titles in 1972. But Germany was eliminated in the first round at the last two editions after their so far last title in 1996.

Beckenbauer said that others like World Cup finalists Italy and France were struggling, but that he expects "all the so-called big teams" will be at the 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Germany had further improved after a third-place finish at the home World Cup last year, mainly due to Loew who took charge when Juergen Klinsmann did not renew his deal after the World Cup, he said.

"The team has taken another step in its development under him," said Beckenbauer, who joined those calling for a renewal of Loew's contract beyond 2008 until the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"It would be good if Jogi Loew stays on. Right now there is no better man than him and his coaching staff," said Beckenbauer.

Beckenbauer captained Germany to the 1972 Euro and 1974 World Cup title. He coached Germany to another world title in 1990 and was the chief organizer of the 2006 edition.

(Xinhua News Agency, CRI October 16, 2007)