FIFA World Cup 2010 – 7 things you cannot count out about the German Football team
The Germans are well known for their World Cup history, they are now going to face Argentina in the quarter finals, and the match is predicted to be a huge thriller. Below are the facts why the Germans cannot be counted out when they face the “all-winning” Diego Maradona’s side:
7) Three times World Champions
The Germans have had their hands on the gold for three times but it was always when they were known to be “West Germany” as they have never won a World Cup after the East and the West sides were united. The West Germans won their first title in 1954, when they amazed the World by beating Hungary and causing the biggest upset of the World Cup back then. In 1974, Germany hosted the FIFA World Cup and won the final by beating Netherlands, who were considered to be the World Cup favourites. Their last World Cup triumph was in 1990, when the Germans had an amazing team which included Andreas Brehme, Jurgen Klinsmann and Lotthar Mathaus, who played for the Italian side Inter Milan.
6) Quarter Final Appearances
Germany has appeared in 17 of the World Cups so far, which means that they have only missed out on two. Whenever Germany has entered the FIFA World Cup, it has reached the quarter final, at least; except when they were knocked out in the first round of the World Cup in 1938. The Germans have the experience of reaching the finals for 7 times and they actually lost it four times in 1966, to England in 1982, when they suffered a loss from the Italians and 1986 they lost to Argentina, who they are meeting in the 2010 quarter finals. In 2002, after the reunification, the German side faced a loss from Brazil and could not win the final to become champions.
5) World Cup Specialists
Germans are considered to be “specialists” in the World Cups. They are always a strong side and the World Cup favourites in almost every World Cup to date. Whenever the Germans are knocked out of the quarter finals, it is usually considered as a shock. It is just a general assumption that the Germans are players of the matches that have a higher value for them; no wonder they are considered to be “World Cup Specialists.” The Germans always had the mental strength that is required for such big tournaments. It is because of this strength, that they are a strong side and the World Cup favourites, almost every time they are a part of it.
4) The German Pele’
The man of the team, Miroslav Klose’ is definitely the biggest threat to the oppositions. He has scored in three World Cups, 2002, 2006 and 2010 and on the list of “all-time World Cup scorers” he is at 12 goals, alongside the Brazilian legend Pele’. Due to the record the 32 year old keeps in the tournaments he has already played, the German Pele’ is definitely the one to watch out for as his ability to head the ball into the net is impeccable.
3) Joachim Loew – The German Coach
The German coach, Jaochim Low, is definitely different and better than an average coach. He was the “brains” behind the German team that reached the semi finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He has been quick with replacing the German players with new, young and talented players and making a squad that are now considered to be the favourites for winning the FIFA World Cup 2010.
2) New Team
The Germans, almost, have a totally new team filled with young players. However, the German coach has worked really hard and brought the team together really well. Their Captain Michael Ballack was injured right before the World Cup and couldn’t be part of the squad, but needless to say, the Germans are playing quite well with out him. They have a new keeper, Manuel Neuer, who is the star of their under 21 team. They have young players like Ozil, who have impressed the football fans from all around the world and there have been people who called Ozil better than the world’s best footballer, at the moment, Lionel Messi.
1) Penalty Masters
The Germans have had a 100% record at the FIFA World Cup that they have won every match that came down to penalty shoot outs. They have never lost any match that was taken down to the last thread, meaning, penalty shoot outs. They have been involved in a penalty shootout, during the World Cup, for 4 times and they haven’t lost even one. No team holds this record, besides Argentina who used to have a 100% record till the 2006 World Cup and were eliminated by the Germans themselves, who knocked the South Americans out and kept their record and ended the Argentinean’s dreams.
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