Vorsprung Durch Gruppenarbeit (Technik) – 7 Reasons Why Germany Will Win the World Cup

Really had to write something about the World Cup 2010 but didn’t have time (or the patience) the last couple of weeks. However, since exams are over, its about time I started blogging on the effectiveness of Germany and why I had picked them as the team to watch out prior to the World Cup.

Having witnessed the British media and their hyping of the national team every couple of years, it has come to my attention that England are in general a useless team. Compare the England team to the German team and you find significant differences:

1. England depends fully on their leading stars to succeed. The likes of Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard making the squad is more a norm than a question mark yet when you take a look at the German squad, it is littered with players who no one outside of the Bundesliga would have heard of. Players such as Khedira, Mueller, Ozil as well as Neuer have now made a name for themselves from absolutely nothing, if they were of English blood, their Under-21 life would still have a few years to run before even a Senior call up would be considered.
2. Because of the 1st point, Germany play more as a team so it is perhaps ironic that Ballack was injured as they have no one single stand out player whom to pass to. It is not saying that the entire German squad is full of Messis but rather a team that works together as all of the German squad had something to prove. Klose and Podolski has had appalling seasons with the latter having to return to his childhood squad after only performing as a bench warmer for Bayern. The rest are all young players making a name for themselves in their first clubs and haven’t had any world exposure.
3. Their manager, isn’t an overpaid foreigner who knows squat about the national game, Joachim Loew had already worked as Assistant to Klingsman during the 2006 World Cup era and had full knowledge of the pool of players he had at hand. He built a squad over ego meaning players such as Kuranyi had to be dropped. This success comes from placing players over a formation rather than finding a formation for players to fall in. This kind of tactic meant many players such as Lahm have had to adjust to playing as both full back and winger to give themselves full flexibility in playing for the coach’s desired formation. Push back to the England squad, how long has the argument of where Gerrard and Lampard should play been broadcast amongst pundits and fans alike, or who should partner Rooney?
4. Youth over experience, this is pretty much my personal opinion as youth gives pace and a lot of flair which is what the World Cup represents, that little moment of magic that you will remember for years. The Germany squad having an average age of just over 23 astounds me since almost every other national team participating at the World Cup is averaging 29+.
5. Jabulani – Yes, the World Cup ball. We all know now about the issues behind the ball but you see the Germans had fully expected something of the sort to happen so they had implemented the Jabulani ball in many Bundesliga matches last year for the players to adjust, and since all the German players are based in German clubs, it appears to have worked to their favor. The English FA adopting similar process? Unlikely ever.
6. No internal conflicts (or at least not in public). This is a German team which adopts very German attitudes of discipline and respect for the game. There have not been any of the issues which have plagued the French national team prior, during and after the World Cup; or the sorts that had Terry spurting out comments about Capello.
7. And finally, no cocky media. After listening to the BBC comment during the Slovenian game, calling the Slovak state a “third division” side with no chance against England, I have lost all hope in the English game. The Germans on the other hand are grateful for their squad, they praise when they win, they commiserate when they lose. Despite hosting the World Cup 2006 and being one of the favourites, the Germans only managed a third place yet national celebrations seemed as if they had won it. The English media and fans on the other hand slaughters the national team when they lose and build up all the hype when they win against Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra and an-aging Ukraine (all during qualifiers).

I probably have a few more reasons, but I can’t think of now. Will add when I can, comments welcome.

July 4, 2010. Uncategorized.