The 4th Soccer Reich, Germany

Finished!!! No More Football Pleaze  

They call it a sports but its a culture here in Germany so in many of European and Latin American nations. In a pre-final media encounter Sabella, the introvert Argentine head coach once mentioned, he respected 2 football playing nations, unfortunately one of them just decimated by the other-one he mentioned, Germany. Towards the start of this epic tournament at the home of football, the host was little shaky and far from a convincing champion team. Each time they were facing a team it was rather the emotions than techniques, which were at play.

Mayhem Just Began

However within 30 mins of their face-off with Germany in the historical semi final in Belo Horizonte, the visitor team mercilessly exterminated the centuries old famous Brazilian soccer culture for ever. Surprisingly, their people started questioning their own faith in the game, but there is no more any football greats, the likes of Pele or Ronaldo to reassure the trust back. Well we already have another big soccer nation knocking on the door, Die Mannschaft i.e. The Team. The Germans have qualified to the Semifinals stage, 13 times out of which they won 4 times and emerged runners up for equal number of times. More successful than any other team so far in the world cup, except for the Salecao, that won 5 trophies, which is still a record. 

The Team

The world cup performance for major football playing nations often driven by individual excellence. If a Pele, Garrincha, Romario or Ronaldo lifted the cup for the Brazilians, so did Diego Maradona and Zidane for Argentina and France respectively. This is precisely the reason why absence of a Neymar or presence of a Messi failed miserably to upset the 4th Reich of the Germans. Individual excellence of Muller, Klose or Lahm is unquestionable and at par with the best in the world. However, there was always a team at the reckoning when you face the formidable Deutschland.

Its All About Money, Honey!!!

No body on earth is as crazy as the Britishers when it comes to this goal scoring sports. In soccer club culture too the kind of money and publicity the English Premiere League garners, that's matter of envy for any athlete or sports administrator. England never won a trophy except when they hosted in 1966, most of the time they were unceremoniously packed up even before the knock out rounds. This never undermines the ability of a Rooney or a Gerrad but may be the club football has not only spoiled them with money but also drained their vital energy important for such a big event. 

My Club and my Nation

But in contrast Germany sports administrators have mandated their clubs to mentor young talents potential to play in the national team. The impact is evident in the result, the most young side, a sound bench strength and sublime on-field performance, such is the synergy of money and nationalism. The exemplary team coordination is also credited to the members affiliation to a particular club.

When a team plays, this hardly matters, if the world number uno right back Lahm nets the ball or the world cup record holder forward Kolse does the honour. You man mark "The Goal Bumber" Muller, a Kroos or a Khedira would score the vital goal. You form a wall around the box to stop German attack, then a substitute Schurrle or Gotze would come and penetrate into your defense line. If you are tired of defending and invade into the opposition box then you have to face a giant called Neuer, he would sweep the ball even before you enter the penalty area. This playing attitude truly represents the game as a 11 member sports that so far been overwhelmed by individual brilliance. So is Tiki Taka, the short ball passing playing strategy, is relived by the Germans, the seven goal miracle against the poor host is glimpse of that legendary technique suitable for a team style game.

Keep up my Legacy

Though it would be unjust to write off  The Salecao so early, they still need time to revive the sporting culture again and until then its time for Die Mannschaft. This is also time to say good bye to a silent hero of the sports, the Polish-German Miroslav Klose, who considers himself as an ambassador of the whole European continent. He never played full time in any of the match in this tournament, may be because of his age or the heat in that tropical location is quite tiring. An interesting observation suggests how the exit of a legend, Klose himself paves the path for another legend, Mario Gotze, just past his teens.

Innings Klosed!!!

There were at least 2 occasions when Germans were actually challenged, once by the African might Ghana, a regular German rival and the other one obviously in the finals by the Latin American Soccer nation, Argentina. Against Ghana, in the second half, Gotze opened the account with a typical header but subsequently Germans conceded 2 goals by the mavericks. At 69th minute Gotze substituted by Klose to complete the unfinished task left by the former. Within 2 minutes he scored the equalizer for his team to remain afloat and a record retained by Ronaldo for 15 WC goals.

Golden Goal

In the finals even a Cameroon or Honduras at the bottom of the table would put up a good show, so Argentine valour was very much in the card for the Sunday evening match. I am still clueless, if the presence of injured Di Maria or Khedira would have changed the outcome of the match for the otherwise star studded teams. However, defense for both the team was outstanding defying chances of a single goal in the full 90 minutes of the game. There were still few chances created by Muller & co but few of them could not be en-cashed because of Klose. Klose known to be the man at the right position at the right time, however was looking very tired and out of reach from the golden spot. Also worth mentioning the opponent goalkeeper Romero deflected a clinical header by the veteran forward. As the match was nearing a goalless closure and the extra-time, Loew complemented Klose with his substitute, the new emerging star of Germany Mario Gotze.

Gotze splendidly created history, by scoring the golden goal with hardly few minutes before the tournament was over. Interestingly he not only substituted Klose in the final match but also for ever for Germany to embrace its new star, who would serve German national team as a corner stone in the future conquests.