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
Germany v United States: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
Having been brought back down to earth by Ghana in their second match, Joachim Löw’s side would knuckle down and turn out a highly professional performance in their final group game against the United States in Recife. With the Americans
Order Restored in Rainy Recife
It is a very wet afternoon on Brazil’s north-eastern coast, with the city of Recife being hit by a massive rainstorm that has brought widespread flooding to the area. Reports and images coming in before the match have shown flooded
A lucky point, defensive frailties, and the Marvellous Miroslav Klose
We’re well into the group stage of the World Cup now, and already we have had a number of shocks. Holders Spain and former champions England are both already out, and Costa Rica have beaten Italy, a feat no German
Germany v Ghana: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
Following the emphatic four-goal thrashing of Portugal in Salvador, the growing sense of confidence in the Germany can would take a slight hit against a physical and energetic Ghana side in a hot and sticky Fortaleza. Not for the first
Germany saved by Magic Miro
It’s a hot afternoon in Fortaleza on Brazil’s north-eastern coast, with temperatures hovering around thirty degrees Celsius at around sixty percent humidity – perfect energy-sapping conditions. Having come through his final pre-match training session centre-back Mats Hummels has managed to
Die Abwehrlatte, the BFG, the Nationalmannschaft’s Tenth Centurion: Per Mertesacker
Franz Beckenbauer. Lothar Matthäus. Jürgen Klinsmann. Jürgen Kohler. Thomas Häßler. Miroslav Klose. Lukas Podolski. Philipp Lahm. Bastian Schweinsteiger. A mix of legends and, potentially, legends-in-waiting. Nine names to have graced the Nationalmannschaft. But can you guess who comes next in
Germany v Portugal: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
In the weeks leading up to the World Cup, the mood in Germany and among supporters of the Nationalmannschaft would be laced with the usual dose of pre-tournament pessimism. In recent campaigns there would be always be at least one
So it begins…
Finally, after all the pre-tournament hype, we have seen some football. The opening game would see the hosts Brazil record a 3-1 win over Croatia, but the score would not really reflect what had happened over the ninety minutes. Two
When it rains, it pours: Marco’s exit, Miro’s record and the Maharishi Jogi. Again.
Time for the second video blog, and what should have been just a simple review of the final warmup game against Armenia in Mainz. Instead, the news of the Mannschaft’s (in the end) emphatic 6-1 win and Miroslav Klose’s goalscoring
Germany v Armenia: Match Analysis and Player Ratings
The somewhat disappointing 2-2 draw with Cameroon in Mönchengladbach would put plenty of pressure on the team and coach Joachim Löw to deliver in their final match before the World Cup, and after a rather testing first half they wouldn’t
A game of two halves
It’s a warm evening in a packed Coface Arena in Mainz, and Jogi Löw’s side are all set for their final warmup match against Armenia. A lot of the big names are back in the starting lineup, and with goalkeeper