Turniermannschaft – the reason the Germans win
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Following the conclusion of the first round of fixtures in the World Cup, we have learned about five things.
Firstly the fools ahead of me in the Bookies pouring money on England pre-USA kickoff believed the hype -- Secondly Germany are great to watch -- Thirdly North Korea are handy enough to make their Group G fixtures with Portugal and Ivory Coast genuinely interesting-- Fourthly Spain's group is now enthralling -- Fifthly bet on draws, as our correspondent Alan Smith will testify.
But for the purpose of this piece, we will treat the role of the Germans.
Germany are a peculiar footballing side. Since 1990, they have not been considered genuine threats to win the World Cup - yet they have finished second and third in two of the four tournaments since then.
Turniermannschaft may well just be a myth. The meaning however is spot on with regards the German national side: if things don't go well for the German team in the qualifiers or friendlies, fans rest their hopes on a strong upturn in form for the real thing. It's only in the finals that the team really shows what it is made of.
Three-time winners - in 1954, 1974 and 1990 - they have reached seven finals and are one of the few mainstays who always perform well. While Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands, Spain and England are perennially lauded for their individual stars, Germany went into this World Cup having lost their one world renowned player, Michael Ballack.
However as many punters will have noticed, their odds didn’t alter too much in the bookies following Ballack’s injury. Had Rooney, Kaka, Sneijder or Messi pulled out of the competition, a big change would be evident in their respective national side odds.
You see, by now everyone understands: teams win tournaments, not individuals. Examples are littered through history. Of the last five World Cups, only Brazil in 2002 could truly say that one man, Ronaldo, dragged them through most games. In general, well drilled hard working teams win the trophy.
Think back to 1990 when Germany last lifted the trophy. Diego Maradona was still regarded as the best player in the world. Argentina went into the tournament as one of the favourites and as holders, and in the final it was largely accepted that Maradona would dominate the game and win Argentina’s third World Cup. However, Germany put Lothar Matheus on Maradona-duty for the game, and the remaining 10 players showed just how effective teamwork and disciplined tactics can be.
The disturbingly regular draws this tournament bears a strong resemblence to 1990. So while all eyes are on Spain (still) and Brazil, Germany remain genuine contenders and a potential Argentina quarter-final is the game I’m most hoping for this year.
Firstly the fools ahead of me in the Bookies pouring money on England pre-USA kickoff believed the hype -- Secondly Germany are great to watch -- Thirdly North Korea are handy enough to make their Group G fixtures with Portugal and Ivory Coast genuinely interesting-- Fourthly Spain's group is now enthralling -- Fifthly bet on draws, as our correspondent Alan Smith will testify.
But for the purpose of this piece, we will treat the role of the Germans.
Germany are a peculiar footballing side. Since 1990, they have not been considered genuine threats to win the World Cup - yet they have finished second and third in two of the four tournaments since then.
Turniermannschaft may well just be a myth. The meaning however is spot on with regards the German national side: if things don't go well for the German team in the qualifiers or friendlies, fans rest their hopes on a strong upturn in form for the real thing. It's only in the finals that the team really shows what it is made of.
Three-time winners - in 1954, 1974 and 1990 - they have reached seven finals and are one of the few mainstays who always perform well. While Brazil, Argentina, Netherlands, Spain and England are perennially lauded for their individual stars, Germany went into this World Cup having lost their one world renowned player, Michael Ballack.
However as many punters will have noticed, their odds didn’t alter too much in the bookies following Ballack’s injury. Had Rooney, Kaka, Sneijder or Messi pulled out of the competition, a big change would be evident in their respective national side odds.
You see, by now everyone understands: teams win tournaments, not individuals. Examples are littered through history. Of the last five World Cups, only Brazil in 2002 could truly say that one man, Ronaldo, dragged them through most games. In general, well drilled hard working teams win the trophy.
Think back to 1990 when Germany last lifted the trophy. Diego Maradona was still regarded as the best player in the world. Argentina went into the tournament as one of the favourites and as holders, and in the final it was largely accepted that Maradona would dominate the game and win Argentina’s third World Cup. However, Germany put Lothar Matheus on Maradona-duty for the game, and the remaining 10 players showed just how effective teamwork and disciplined tactics can be.
The disturbingly regular draws this tournament bears a strong resemblence to 1990. So while all eyes are on Spain (still) and Brazil, Germany remain genuine contenders and a potential Argentina quarter-final is the game I’m most hoping for this year.
About Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block. View Full Profile