Loew's sweater brings luck

Erasmia - Germany's fashion-conscious coach Joachim Loew says he will wear his blue V-neck sweater in the World Cup semi-final against Spain because it has brought him good luck.

Loew said on Monday he was not superstitious but that his staff and players want him to continue wearing the sweater because he had worn it during Germany's victories over England and Argentina.

"I am not superstitious but the coaching staff want me to wear it because we always score four goals when I wear it," Loew said on Monday.

With Loew wearing the sweater under a suit jacket, Germany beat England 4-1 and then routed Argentina 4-0 to set up Wednesday's semi-final against Spain in Durban.

"They won't let me wash it and I do think I will wear it again," Loew said.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger also wants to see his coach wearing the sweater against Spain.

"I don't know how many blue sweaters he has, but I hope he has one or two left in his suitcase," Schweinsteiger said.