Welcome to the latest World Cup vlog, covering everything from the final group match against the United States to a preview of the quarter-final against France. The Algeria game and team tactics are discussed at length, as I try my
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
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
Slaughter in Salvador: It’s Müller Time as Portugal are Pummelled
So finally, the show begins with the opening match against Portugal. It’s a bright afternoon in Salvador, the port city in north-east of Brazil and capital of the Bahia region. It is the second game to be played at the
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
The Final Twenty-Three
After all of the speculation, we now have our final squad of twenty-three – and the expected surprise. While one of the three players not making the cut would come as no great shock, the other two would generate more
Ironing out the creases
With just four days to go before Germany’s next World Cup warm-up game against Cameroon in Mönchengladbach and five days before the announcement of the final squad of twenty-three who will be flying out to Brazil, things are certainly hotting