The Germans lacked a killer instinct but feel "great joy" for their victory over Denmark and passage into the Euro 2012 quarterfinals, coach Joachim Low said Sunday.
Lars Bender scored an 80th minute winner to give the Germans a 2-1 victory in Lviv, but the coach said his team should have ended the contest in the first half, when Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez missed easy chances.
"The first half we lacked that killer instinct to make it 3-0 or 4-0," he said.
But a "mature" and "collected" effort despite the Danes defending in numbers in the second half saw them through, Low said.
"The happiness is great, the joy is great. To get out of a group with nine points is just great."
Lukas Podolski, winning his 100th cap, scored the opener for the Germans on 19 minutes, slamming home from six yards out after Muller's low cross from the right was missed by Gomez.
Denmark equalized on 24 minutes through Michael Krohn-Dehli, who leapt above Mats Hummels to redirect a Nicklas Bendter header into the net from close range.
Germany earn a quarterfinal against Group A second-place team Greece, while the Portuguese, finishing second, will play Group A winners the Czech Republic.
