"Are we too green for the the title?" asked German daily Bild on Thursday in the wake of Green-shirted Germany's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of France in their pre-Euro 2012 friendly warm-up.
With the European Championships set to start in less than 100 days, Germany played in their away strip against Laurent Blanc's France and Joachim Loew's young team were well-beaten.
A first-half goal by France's Olivier Giroud, who then set up substitute Florent Malouda for the second, inflicted the first defeat on Joachim "Jogi" Loew's Germany since they lost by the same margin to Australia last March.
Germany's Brazil-born striker Cacau scored a late consolation for the hosts, but the French deserved the win.
"Jogi, should we worry about the Euro?" asked Bild on its website.
Germany were without five first-choice players including captain Philipp Lahm, midfield star Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, but their replacements failed to impress.
"The coach now knows his deputies are not first choice," continued Bild, who gave the worst possible rating to defenders Denis Aogo and Jerome Boateng.
The biggest compliment for Blanc's "Les Bleus" came from Munich-based newspaper the Sueddeutsche Zeitung which said France had beaten the attack-minded Germans at their own game.
"The guests played like we are used to seeing Germany do: at pace, putting on great pressure and showing great ambition."
Die Welt said the Germans could thank the French for exposing a few weaknesses in their defence and dampening expectations here ahead of Euro 2012 which starts on June 8.
"We should be grateful to the French," said the German daily.
Source: AFP
