|
|
World Cup 2010 Comment: How Joachim Loew's unfancied Germany snatched Spain's 'entertainers' tag
Die Mannschaft go into into Euro 2008 rematch as neutrals' choice
7 Jul 2010 06:44:00
By Andy Brassell
It's been a World Cup of surprises, and the semi-final between Germany and Spain captures much of the intrigue in microcosm. Purely on paper, a reunion of Euro 2008's two finalists in a World Cup semi is completely logical. So why did so many of us fail to pick it, and why are Germany - a country that has reached the final more than any other European nation - considered a successful dark horse?
Even if one had convinced anyone pre-tournament that Germany were capable of reaching the last four, it would have been a struggle to paint Germany as favourites in a direct confrontation with the European champions. For all the lazy labelling of Die Mannschaft as a 'tournament team,' Joachim Loew's men looked prone and vulnerable in the run-up to the World Cup.
In fact they arrive in Durban not only as a now-hotly-tipped side, but as the neutrals' darlings. They are the tournament's top scorers with 13 and have come into their own in the knockout rounds, impressing with their emphatic win over England and truly astounding with their demolition of Argentina. The fluid, flowing style of a team underpinned by youngsters such as Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira has really captured the collective imagination.
Compare this to Spain, lauded for bringing pretty, passing football back into vogue and proving it could triumph over physical rigour in Euro 2008. They have made history in reaching their first-ever World Cup semi-final but generally failed to excite thus far - give or take the end-to-end penalty-missing fest in the second half of the quarter-final match with Paraguay.
Spain's progress so far - dogged, determined and based on the goals of the extraordinary David Villa - has disappointed, with Vicente Del Bosque's men seeming short of their normal zesty selves, weary and bearing the legacy of carrying a number of injury doubts into the tournament, particularly to key players like Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta.
Injuries have affected Germany too, arguably more so as they lost five members of Loew's original squad before they even arrived in South Africa. Yet these have turned out to be a blessing in disguise, and crucially have not been carried into the tournament itself.
The most newsworthy was the loss of Michael Ballack, and this has become a symbol of the German story of the World Cup. After arguably their key player had to pull out, Germany's chances were written off, but not only did Loew find cover in the squad in the shape of Khedira, but Ballack's absence has allowed Bastian Schweinsteiger to shine in the centre of midfield like never before. Germany have moved the ball at a breezy, athletic tempo, which almost certainly would not have been possible with their ertswhile captain in the fold.
Ballack's absence has seen a power shift in the camp too. Bayern Munich's Phillip Lahm has taken the armband, a top-level pro with excellent experience (and one of the world's finest full-backs) but hardly an elder statesman like Ballack. There is no notable deference to him, and the squad seem to feel the skipper is more representative of them.
Lahm himself certainly feels there has been a positive effect and German media reported that Ballack's departure from the German camp yesterday had much to do with Lahm's stated ambition to remain skipper after the finals. The freshness of the squad is clear, with four members of last year's European Under-21 Championship winners in the first XI for both knockout round games (Oezil, Khedira, Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer).
Loew's need to rely on youth has accelerated the positive approach begun by Juergen Klinsmann pre-2006 World Cup. It is hard to imagine Torsten Frings, Christoph Metzelder and Thomas Hitzlsperger returning to the fold, though they all started in the defeat to Spain in the Euro 2008 final.
This time, the match-up between these two will be very different. Spain are playing in Germany's arena. The reaction of Del Bosque's men to the nervy win over Paraguay spoke of relief but also of reaching a new peak. Germany have won the tournament three times and been losing finalists on four other occasions.
But speaking in the present, this Germany side have the confidence that they will run Spain much closer than the 1-0 defeat in Vienna two years ago, which in truth flattered Loew's side. And Germany are all about the present, and the future, right now.
It's been a World Cup of surprises, and the semi-final between Germany and Spain captures much of the intrigue in microcosm. Purely on paper, a reunion of Euro 2008's two finalists in a World Cup semi is completely logical. So why did so many of us fail to pick it, and why are Germany - a country that has reached the final more than any other European nation - considered a successful dark horse?
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.50 | Draw £90.00 | China £260.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £11.00 | Draw £90.00 | China £230.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.83 | Draw £100.00 | China £210.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.80 | Draw £100.00 | China £260.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Spain £10.70 | Draw £122.00 | China £270.00 |
|
Even if one had convinced anyone pre-tournament that Germany were capable of reaching the last four, it would have been a struggle to paint Germany as favourites in a direct confrontation with the European champions. For all the lazy labelling of Die Mannschaft as a 'tournament team,' Joachim Loew's men looked prone and vulnerable in the run-up to the World Cup.
In fact they arrive in Durban not only as a now-hotly-tipped side, but as the neutrals' darlings. They are the tournament's top scorers with 13 and have come into their own in the knockout rounds, impressing with their emphatic win over England and truly astounding with their demolition of Argentina. The fluid, flowing style of a team underpinned by youngsters such as Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira has really captured the collective imagination.
Compare this to Spain, lauded for bringing pretty, passing football back into vogue and proving it could triumph over physical rigour in Euro 2008. They have made history in reaching their first-ever World Cup semi-final but generally failed to excite thus far - give or take the end-to-end penalty-missing fest in the second half of the quarter-final match with Paraguay.
Spain's progress so far - dogged, determined and based on the goals of the extraordinary David Villa - has disappointed, with Vicente Del Bosque's men seeming short of their normal zesty selves, weary and bearing the legacy of carrying a number of injury doubts into the tournament, particularly to key players like Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta.
 Firing blanks | Torres has struggled
|
The most newsworthy was the loss of Michael Ballack, and this has become a symbol of the German story of the World Cup. After arguably their key player had to pull out, Germany's chances were written off, but not only did Loew find cover in the squad in the shape of Khedira, but Ballack's absence has allowed Bastian Schweinsteiger to shine in the centre of midfield like never before. Germany have moved the ball at a breezy, athletic tempo, which almost certainly would not have been possible with their ertswhile captain in the fold.
Ballack's absence has seen a power shift in the camp too. Bayern Munich's Phillip Lahm has taken the armband, a top-level pro with excellent experience (and one of the world's finest full-backs) but hardly an elder statesman like Ballack. There is no notable deference to him, and the squad seem to feel the skipper is more representative of them.
Lahm himself certainly feels there has been a positive effect and German media reported that Ballack's departure from the German camp yesterday had much to do with Lahm's stated ambition to remain skipper after the finals. The freshness of the squad is clear, with four members of last year's European Under-21 Championship winners in the first XI for both knockout round games (Oezil, Khedira, Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer).
Maestro | Schweinsteiger has excelled
|
This time, the match-up between these two will be very different. Spain are playing in Germany's arena. The reaction of Del Bosque's men to the nervy win over Paraguay spoke of relief but also of reaching a new peak. Germany have won the tournament three times and been losing finalists on four other occasions.
But speaking in the present, this Germany side have the confidence that they will run Spain much closer than the 1-0 defeat in Vienna two years ago, which in truth flattered Loew's side. And Germany are all about the present, and the future, right now.
Our 
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
provides the best breaking news online and our football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Make Your Prediction
Spain - China
Spain
China
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Spain 8-0 China
- 20.71 %
-
Spain 4-0 China
- 13.86 %
-
Spain 5-0 China
- 11.45 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
