Germany Face World Cup with Optimism
July 7, 2005
When Rudi Völler resigned after the Portugal finals, with Germany failing to win a single match, the World Cup looked nothing more than a pipedream but under Jürgen Klinsmann faith has been restored in German soccer.
A 3-2 loss against Brazil ended Germany's Confederations Cup hopes at the semi-final stage but Mexico were dispatched in high-scoring fashion in the third place play-off match. The improvement from the dark days of Euro 2004 was plain for all to see.
"When Klinsmann said we were going to win the World Cup everyone thought he was too optimistic," explained Bild daily. "But now we are beginning to believe him."
Klinsmann targets World Cup glory
Klinsmann won the World Cup in 1990 with West Germany and on succeeding Völler he immediately set the goal of winning soccer's ultimate prize. "It is big to ask to win the World Cup in your first major competition," warned Franz Beckenbauer, head of the 2006 organizing committee.
Despite no previous managerial experience Klinsmann has introduced an attacking approach at the Confederations Cup that produced 11 goals in four games and Germany are a different team from the uninventive side that could not score against minnows Latvia at Euro 2004.
"We have adopted a policy of attacking football and against Brazil we proved that we can come from behind," lauded Klinsmann.
Advances made but still a long way to go
Germany twice came from behind against the eventual champions to level at 2-2 but captain Michael Ballack, who scored the second equalizer from the penalty spot, believes there is still work to be done. "We delighted the fans with the way we played but now we need to take the next step," admitted Ballack. "Brazil showed their class at the key moments and it something we need to work on."
Going forward the team always look dangerous but it has come at a cost with the defense, so stable under Völler, leaking an average of two goals a game in the Confederations Cup competition.
Borussia Dortmund veteran centre back Christian Wörns and Bayern Munich left back Philipp Lahm will be back to strengthen the backline for the World Cup and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn believes the hosts have what it takes to mix it with the big boys. "We'll beat the big names at the World Cup," promised Kahn.
Big team stumbling block remains
Not since October 2000, when Germany won 1-0 over England in the final match at Wembley Stadium, have the three-time World cup victors defeated a recognized top nation. A 2-2 draw with Argentina and 3-2 loss against Brazil saw that run continue at the Confederations Cup and it is becoming a millstone around Germany's neck.
"We are on the way up and the top teams know that," insisted Klinsmann.
As hosts Germany, a nation that tend to excel in tournaments, will be among the favorites at the World Cup, running from June 9 until July 9, but to win the trophy they will have to end this miserable run.
With holders Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy and the Netherlands just some teams eyeing the top prize Germany have their work cut out but from past experience it is best to never write off the Germans.