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Brazilian president on World Cup loss: 'We are able to overcome'

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff discussed Brazil's crushing World Cup loss to Germany in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, couching the loss as an opportunity for Brazil to prove its resiliency.

By JC Finley
Luis Gustavo of Brazil competes with Miroslav Klose (L) of Germany during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi Final match at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on July 08, 2014. (UPI/Chris Brunskill)
Luis Gustavo of Brazil competes with Miroslav Klose (L) of Germany during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi Final match at the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, Brazil on July 08, 2014. (UPI/Chris Brunskill) | License Photo

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 9 (UPI) -- Brazil's World Cup loss to Germany in Tuesday's semi-final match was, in the words of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, an "extremely painful situation."

In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, the Brazilian president insisted she never imagined Brazil could lose. "My nightmares never got so bad," she told Amanpour.

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But Brazil, the president maintains, is resilient. "Being able to overcome defeat I think is the feature and hallmark of a major national team and of a great country."

Tuesday's defeat was difficult for Brazil fans to watch as the team suffered a 7-1 loss to Germany.

"We came into this match without two of our main players, Neymar, a major attacker, and our captain, Thiago Silva," Rousseff said, acknowledging that the match was expected to be difficult.

What's the silver lining for the country that played host to the 2014 World Cup?

"If we had won, the people would have forgotten all the money spent; at least now the realities are back in focus."

Ultimately, Rousseff is keeping her eyes on a different sort of prize, the reward of hosting a successful World Cup.

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"One has to bear in mind that from all different aspects, the fact is that Brazil has organized and staged a World Cup, which I do believe is one of the world's best World Cups. And that is largely due to the Brazilian people's ability to offer and extend hospitality and welcome supporters from all over the world."

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