Miroslav Klose has stressed the importance of Germany opening their Euro 2012 qualification campaign with a win in Brussels.

The visitors arrive having impressed at the World Cup, where a string of impressive performances and victories against England and Argentina, saw them reach the semi-finals.

And with a host of young players also emerging as potential world stars, Germany are widely regarded as one of the favourites to land the title in Poland and Ukraine in two years' time.

But for that to happen they must successfully negotiate Group A which also includes Turkey, Austria, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, who they face on Tuesday night.

Klose knows Germany are the scalp every team in the pool will want to take and realises a winning start is vital.

He told www.dfb.de: "We are all clear that the World Cup is now over and we must look to the future.

"We are facing a new challenge and we have to start the qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan - two major tasks - with six points.

"A victory against Belgium would be particularly important but we can't underestimate any of the opponents in the group, every game is difficult.

"The Belgians, like the other teams, know they can beat a major nation and they will all be highly motivated against us.

"Belgium have many good, talented players but we are confident we have the quality to establish ourselves in Brussels."

Much of the post World Cup focus in Germany has centred on the battle for the captaincy.

Michael Ballack would have worn the armband in South Africa but was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining an ankle injury.

Philipp Lahm took over as skipper and expressed his intention to keep the role for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

After much discussion in the media, coach Joachim Low plumped for Ballack although the Bayer Leverkusen star will miss the first two qualifiers as he looks to regain full fitness.

Klose insists the issue was never a big deal within the squad.

"It don't think it's that important. For me it is crucial that a core group of players take responsibility," he said.

"Everything else just distracts from our main task, that of playing good and successful football."

The match will be a special occasion for Belgium goalkeeper Logan Bailly.

Bailly plays his club football in Germany for Borussia Monchengladbach and is relishing the chance to see some familiar faces.

He told www.bundesliga.de: "Games against Germany are always special for Belgium.

"And because of the World Cup where Germany did so well, it enhances that further.

"For me it is interesting as I will meet so many counterparts from the Bundesliga."

Bailly knows his men are underdogs going into the game.

"Germany are not only favourites for this game but also in the group," he added.

"Maybe Turkey are the country which we are likely to fight with for second place."