The German captain was asked yesterday how his countrymen seemed to be able to battle back to win matches from almost impossible situations like they did in the second round in France against Mexico.

``Yes we have certain qualities,'' he said. ``It is a mentality that goes back years in German football. There is a belief that you should never give up on a game. Situations like that give us an extra push.

``We always seem to be able to move up a gear. We have done it twice here. It is a quality that not a lot of teams have got.''

The Germs battled back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 against the Mexicans in a match played in high temperatures in Montpellier on Monday. They also needed to stage a dramatic second-half comeback to draw 2-2 with a strong Yugoslav team in the group matches.

Coach Berti Vogts believes part of the reason for the comebacksin France has been the Germans' hard physical preparation at their training camp in Finland before the World Cup. ``We worked very hard in Finland especially on the stamina side,'' Vogts said. ``We filled up the bottles of energy and the bottles are not empty yet.''

Klinsmann said he knew that some teams were envious of the Germans' ability to bounce back.

The striker, who has returned to some of his best form in France after a season of ups and downs, said the physical side was very important and he felt both he and his partner Oliver Bierhoff were in great form. Both have scored three goals so far.

The Germans also have the Bundesliga's leading scorer Ulf Kirsten to call on. After coming on as a substitute, the Bayer Leverkusen striker provided the cross for Bierhoff's winning header against the Mexicans.

``I know that even when I am very tired I don't need much of a chance to get a goal at the moment,'' he said. ``Oliver Bierhoff is the same. I hope we can score a few more goals yet....I think ourbatteries are recharging.''The Germans take on Croatia in the quarter-finals in Lyon on Saturday.