A 2-1 defeat by a second-string Czech side in Lisbon on Wednesday saw 2002 World Cup finalists Germany leave Portugal without a win to their name after scoring just two goals in three matches.

Immediately after the match, comparisons were drawn with the European championships four years ago when Erich Ribbeck was dismissed after Germany only scored once and failed to taste victory in the Netherlands and Belgium.

"It was not like the debacle four years ago but we are going home nevertheless," bemoaned Voller. "But I must stress that German football is not on the same low it was four years ago.

"We had four under-21 players playing against the Czechs and the future is not bleak."

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, 19, VfB Stuttgart's Philipp Lahm, 21, Lukas Podolski of Cologne, 18, and Kevin Kuranyi, 22, all took part against the Czechs to offer a ray of hope for two years' time when Germany hosts the World Cup.

"It is a lot better than a few years ago, with a lot of young players showing promise," added Voller.

"Kuranyi and Podolski are talented but lack the killer instinct in front of goal but they can learn that.

"There are a few players who go home as winners despite our defeat, such as Lahm and Schweinsteiger."

Lahm, on loan at Stuttgart from Bayern Munich, was one of the positives with his marauding runs down the left flank exciting the German followers in Portugal.

Schweinsteiger was also a breath of fresh air with his energy and enthusiasm setting him apart from many of the older, more established stars, who failed to deliver.

First round exits in successive European championships is not something three-time World Cup winners Germany are accustomed to and the pressure is building not to flop at the World Cup on home soil.

Yet Germany reached the final of the 2002 World Cup when few observers gave them a chance.

"I will be sitting in the stands watching the youngsters in the World Cup," said Voller. "I am convinced we will have a good team.

"The new man has two years to get it right."

Finding a new coach is the starting point for the German football federation (DFB) with ex-Bayern Munich chief Ottmar Hitzfeld, a free agent, the firm favourite.

"Of course Hitzfeld is one of the candidates," said DFB president Gerhard Mayer Vorfelder.

The new manager of the national team must decide whether to build around this promising youth Voller admires and dispense with some of the experienced stars such as Dietmar Hamann, Bernd Schneider, Fredi Bobic and Jens Nowotny who have disappointed in the finals.

Christoph Metzelder of Borussia Dortmund, missing through injury, along with Bayern's Sebastian Deisler - still recovering from a bout of depression - would also be welcome additions to a German team that needs revamping.