Blog Total Football
By Tim Leberecht - July 6, 2010
After all the anticipation, controversy, and analysis, it all comes down to a simple formula: Germany versus Spain. Before the mouth-watering semi-final in Durban, the German media is having a blast. I guess it's one of the beauties of the World Cup that it can convert deeply rooted stereotypes into more subtle narratives...well, sort of. :)
Blog Total Football
By Kajsa Westman - July 6, 2010
Watching the Germany vs. Argentina game this Saturday morning from a sports bar in New York East Village. I have to say the German supporters spirits were through the roof from goal 1-0, as the outlook for the Argentinean team turned muskier and muskier.
By the 4-0 goal some Argentinean supporters simply decided to party rather than sulk, and they pulled off their blue and white shirts and joined the happier mood on the German side of the bar. Just like that.
Blog Total Football
By Tim Leberecht - June 27, 2010
After today's dramatic 1-4 defeat against Germany, English fans will complain about their disallowed goal, while German fans will argue that it was the long overdue compensation for the controversial English "Wembley Goal" in the World Cup 1966 (see video below). As you can see below, at least for today, there is clear evidence that it was not a goal.
Blog Total Football
By Tim Leberecht - June 14, 2010
What does it say about the World Cup when the most beautiful football is played by the Germans? Is the quality of the competition so low or are the Germans so good? After the 4-0 thumping of the Australians, pundits are heaping praise on the "Mannschaft" and declaring it (somewhat prematurely) to be the favorite for the title.
No one really knew what to expect from Joachim Loew’s young side (average age is 24.5), but the Germans are, as former national coach Juergen Klinsmann put it on ABC, “always ready when it matters.” Well, we’ve known all along that the football god is at least half-German, and no one has described the deeply rooted respect for German teams better than Gary Lineker’s famous quip: “Football is when 11 men play against 11 men and Germany wins.”
Blog Total Football
By Till Grusche - June 5, 2010
6 more days to go... and Germany has just finished its training camp with an impressive 3:1 vs Bosnia Herzegovina. It was an exciting victory, not so much because of the result against an opponent that was not in best physical condition. It was impressive because the "Mannschaft" actually demonstrated something in the second half I haven't seen from a German team for a long time: A pure joy of playing. Short-pass combination football finally worked out, and although the defense was struggling now and then, the offense potential of this young team is very promising.
