<p> Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has demanded more respect for the national team's performances after reaching the Euro 2012 semifinals in June, their fourth successive last- four spot or better in major tournaments. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Schweinsteiger, criticised for playing in the European Championship despite nursing an injury picked up in Bayern Munich's Champions League final defeat by Chelsea, said Germany's overall record was very successful. <br /><br />"(Semifinal finishes) should not be taken for granted," the holding midfielder told reporters on Tuesday. "We did not drop a point in the qualifiers, we beat top 10 teams in our group and then lost just one game." <br /><br />"I think it is a pity, it is not always fair but that is the way it is. There are other teams who have targets and it is not easy to keep winning," Schweinsteiger said. <br /><br />Germany completed their first ever perfect Euro group stage with wins over Portugal, Netherlands and Denmark before beating Greece in the quarterfinals for their 14th successive victory in competitive games. <br /><br />They had also won 10 out of 10 qualifiers for a new German record. <br />"I don't think everything is bad, not many teams can claim to have such a track record. I think the respect is missing a bit," Schweinsteiger said. "It is nowhere written down that we are going to win every game.”</p>
<p> Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has demanded more respect for the national team's performances after reaching the Euro 2012 semifinals in June, their fourth successive last- four spot or better in major tournaments. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Schweinsteiger, criticised for playing in the European Championship despite nursing an injury picked up in Bayern Munich's Champions League final defeat by Chelsea, said Germany's overall record was very successful. <br /><br />"(Semifinal finishes) should not be taken for granted," the holding midfielder told reporters on Tuesday. "We did not drop a point in the qualifiers, we beat top 10 teams in our group and then lost just one game." <br /><br />"I think it is a pity, it is not always fair but that is the way it is. There are other teams who have targets and it is not easy to keep winning," Schweinsteiger said. <br /><br />Germany completed their first ever perfect Euro group stage with wins over Portugal, Netherlands and Denmark before beating Greece in the quarterfinals for their 14th successive victory in competitive games. <br /><br />They had also won 10 out of 10 qualifiers for a new German record. <br />"I don't think everything is bad, not many teams can claim to have such a track record. I think the respect is missing a bit," Schweinsteiger said. "It is nowhere written down that we are going to win every game.”</p>