WORLD
CUP 2006
Germany
Introduction
England to win the World Cup are 5/1 with some bookmakers. Get 8/1 via easyodds.com – Click here to find out more.
From the moment Jurgen Klinsmann was parachuted in to replace Rudi Voller as national coach some 22 months ago, the spin from
|
the German camp has centred on Projekt 2006 being a cutting-edge affair harnessing the most modern concepts of fitness, nutrition and psychological preparation.
However, the appliance of science alone is not likely to get the team very far this summer. Deep down, all connected with the Nationalmannschaft know full well that it will be traditional Germanic footballing virtues that carry them forward.
Arguably, goalscoring midfielder and skipper Michael Ballack is the only world-class performer in the side, who also have far less technical ability as a whole than Brazil, Argentina, Italy, England, Spain and Holland. For these reasons, the Germans have no alternative but to fall back on the qualities that have always served them so admirably at World Cups – tactical discipline, the ability to perfectly pace themselves throughout the tournament and mental resilience.
It will not take a quantum leap to turn Germany into a commando unit; the concept of the game as a trial of strength is in the DNA in these parts, and there are few Bundesliga coaches who do not continually stress the importance of winning individual battles on the pitch.
But while an energised and totally committed side is a given in June and July, the problem is that the current team lack leadership. In years gone by the Nationalmannschaft boasted any number of influential, strong characters such as Uwe Seeler, Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier, Lothar Matthaus and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Nowadays, there is no field general, not even Ballack.
The public’s anticipation of Germany’s second stint as World Cup hosts is building nicely, with the competition intertwined with almost every aspect of daily life, and not just in the 12 cities staging the tournament. But as for expectations of what their national team can achieve, sobriety is the order of the day. A year ago 45 per cent of Germans polled thought they would win the
World Cup; now the figure is only 18 per cent.
Few can be surprised at the drop in confidence. Germany have produced some horrendous displays this season – notably in the 4-1 defeat in Italy in March and earlier losses against Turkey and Slovakia – and it is a sad fact that they have not beaten a major football nation since England at Wembley in October 2000, a run of 17 games.
The media are generally sceptical, too, with journalists raising their eyebrows when Klinsmann talks about winning the World Cup. Should the side not deliver, the post-mortem will be a bloody affair.
Not that all hope has been extinguished. History tells us that World Cup hosts invariably do well, fortified by the big support and facilitated by often favourable refereeing decisions and a kind draw.
Certainly Germany could not have picked a more accommodating first round pool. Poland, Ecuador and Costa Rica ought not to pose any problems to Ballack and co. The prospect of a second round tie against Sweden (though not England) is causing few sleepless nights either.
The quarter-finals, where Argentina or Holland are likely to lie in wait, could signal the end of the road. And the press and fans would probably sign up for such a scenario now. Reaching the last eight might even keep Klinsmann in the job. The problem is, however, that the coach has higher goals.
Newsletter
