It’s a warm and bright late afternoon in the city of Rio de Janeiro, and the day has arrived. After over a month of competition, the two best teams are here compete for football’s biggest and most famous prize: the
Wir sind Weltmeister!
Deutschland gg. Argentinien: Teil III!
After the 7-1 demolition of a sorry Brazilian side, the onus is now on Germany to finish the job and bring the trophy back home – and secure that coveted fourth star. Wir für Vier has been one of the
Brazil v Germany: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
Coming into the semi-final against Brazil at the Estadio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, Germany would be the bookies’ favourites. But only just. When the match kicked off the first ten minutes saw Brazil edge the opening tussles, with Jogi Löw’s
The Beast Awakens: Brazil brushed aside in Belo Horizonte
We’re all set in Belo Horizonte, with Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw keeping things simple and my pre-match tittle-tattle short by naming the same side that had beaten France four days earlier. Confidence is high and the defensive midfield duo fit and
Seventh Heaven
Have no fear, the match reports are coming… But during yesterday’s game I just couldn’t keep up with the “live” commentary as the goals kept flooding in. As soon as I started to put together the description of one another
Beyond the Belo Horizonte
Get past the “Group of Death”. Overcome one of the many “lesser” teams that have punched above their weight. Check. Knuckle down and put a threatening European rival out of commission. Check. It has not been an easy ride, but
Germany v France: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
We all can keep commenting, analysing and criticising, but they always come good in the end. The World Cup is like a magical elixir for the German national team, and after all of the pre-match discussion and debate Jogi and
Back to Basics
For many, the quarter-final against France at the famous Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro would be the first in a number of defining moments for Nationaltrainer Joachim Löw. The coach had been targeted heavily by the press for
Rio, the flu et Les Bleus
After being stretched to the limit in disposing of Algeria in the round of sixteen, the German roadshow moves onto Rio’s famous Estádio Maracanã, and a potentially mouth-watering meeting with another old rival, France. Since their opening 4-0 thrashing of
Germany v Algeria: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
Germany’s World Cup goes on, but their second phase encounter with Algeria would produce yet another dramatic chapter in what has so far been an incredible tournament – arguably the best for a long time, possibly since Mexico 1986. Expected
Pandemonium and Panic in Porto Alegre
Having safely negotiated what had been dubbed the “Group of Death”, Joachim Löw’s German side now meet Algeria, runners-up behind Belgium in a group that would also include Russia and South Korea. It is a repeat of the infamous meeting
Selection Shenanigans: Jogi’s Dilemma
I had promised to just watch every match as it comes and not get too involved in the ongoing discussions regarding the selection choices and tactical decisions being made by Nationaltrainer Jogi Löw, but as the tournament enters the knockout