Footballing World | The curtain draws over Germany

World Cup Analysis

The curtain draws over Germany

By Matthew Day ⋅ July 10, 2006 ⋅

These World Cup finals may have in fact been as close to a fairytale as one dares to imagine. And the core of the story has been superb efficiency from the organising committee and a warm welcoming hand from Germany for the world to enter its walls. The manor in which the German fans changed their stance from hospitable hosts to passionate fans was the key subplot in the legend that will remain for decades.

Less than 5% of Germans in one of the regular opinion polls believed that it would be Michael Ballack lifting the Jules Rimet trophy on July 9. Despite being essentially proved right, the message sent out was that Jurgen Klinsmann and his squad had little backing and the tournament would merely pass by most of the population.

The tone was set for the four weeks in less than five minutes with Philip Lahm’s extraordinary opener that contributed to a thrilling initial game – a rarity in itself. Senegal might have shocked the world by beating France four years ago, but the game wasn’t engrossing. In 2006, Fifa’s decision to make the hosts play the first game (rather than the holders) was wholly vindicated. Germany felt compelled to rise to their status as hosts, and in doing so the nation became swallowed up in a patriotic fervour right from the first Friday. And the finals received a welcome boost when Brazil turned up on the following Wednesday for their first game.

World Cup 2006 will not go down as ‘great’, but nevertheless it surpassed the last four finals with a blend of attacking football on offer in the majority of matches and some marvellous goals. Necessarily there were games that formed landmarks in the competition – matches that will remain in the mind beyond the final. Argentina will be most strongly remembered, and perhaps most fondly. Jose Pekerman’s men were awesome against Serbia & Montenegro and their second round victory over Mexico was, arguably, the most entertaining game. How they failed to seriously challenge for the trophy is one of the main questions to emerge in South America.

The exciting victory over lowly Costa Rica did not, of course, instantly compel Germans pay a visit to the local flag shop and proceed to act merrily in the Berlin fan park

The group stages were far more enjoyable in the eyes of football purists – there were goals galore in high quality matches and no serious or dominant contenders to ease towards becoming world champions as Brazil did in Japan and South Korea. Australia got off the mark with their first ever World Cup goal, and then decided they wanted three points as well before the world saw Tomas Rosicky’s expert 40-yard effort. Then later on that Monday, they were treated to an Italian side looking to make an impression – they comprehensively beat the strongest African side in Ghana.

Oliver Kahn couldn’t immediately accept his place on the substitute’s bench, and his ostentation was reminiscent of a whole country. The exciting victory over lowly Costa Rica did not, of course, instantly compel Germans pay a visit to the local flag shop and proceed to act merrily in the Berlin fan park. The sea change in support came in the second group game against Poland. The political circumstances dating back 60 years certainly played a role in the occasion. Add in the fact it was the evening game and out came an immense atmosphere. Cue mayhem after Oliver Neuville’s 90th minute winner. German fans were treated to the greatest kind of footballing excitement, and they loved and endorsed it. Less than 5% believing in Klinsmann’s lion-hearts had transformed into more than 95%.

Meanwhile Spain set down an early marker, Ecuador and Angola provided stories only fables could usually invent and the cards started flowing from referee’s pockets. In Simunic’s case, he was allowed three cautions before seeing red as Croatia departed early once again. There will be the forgotten games that supplied such enjoyment – the Ivory Coast’s 3-2 win over Serbia; Portugal’s 2-1 win over Mexico; and even Italy’s bloody draw with the United States.

The feeling that emerged during and immediately after the group stages was ecstasy. It felt as if nations had secretly met up and agreed that because they only meet every four years, there was no reason to defend. ‘Dud’ games were at a minimum; in fact an exceptional number of games were end-to-end and any hint of negativity was quickly hounded out by the expectant fans – many of whom had paid over the odds to watch this unique event – the greatest sporting affair in existence.

Previous World Cup’s had been badly affected by a nations obvious desire being converted into defensive strategies. After all, the hopes of an entire country hang originally on three results, so surely there was no room for complacency and risks. But the likes of Australia, Ghana and Ecuador benefited greatly with unexpected progress whereas the pessimistic tactics of Poland and Serbia cost them places in the knockout stages. The less fancied nations who failed to qualify can also be affectionately remembered – Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Angola and South Korea will all be able to leave knowing they have had a say in an exciting stage of the tournament.

The party would not have been so grand without Germany’s efforts. As hosts, they remained professional and unassuming but as fans they became increasingly vociferous and buoyant

The party would not have been so grand without Germany’s efforts. As hosts, they remained professional and unassuming but as fans they became increasingly vociferous and buoyant. Another penalty shoot-out victory, this time over Argentina, was the first time Germany had beaten a major footballing nation since 2001.

Perhaps it shouldn’t provide amusement, but Valentin Ivanov’s virtuoso performance in Portugal’s win over Holland in the second round – sending-off a record four players – added to the aura, while old-boys France gathered together to overcome Spain, Brazil and then Portugal.

And although the finals declined in quality – there were fewer open games and far fewer goals (especially the wonder goals we were treated to in the group stages) – there was a great semi-final in waiting between the hosts and a rejuvenated Italy. The hosts were left stunned, but the match was of a terrific standard as Italy broke with an era and decided to go on the attack. There was one final night of noise as the hosts claimed third place, but the major event was as ever to take place on Sunday evening.

Italy came from behind and defied their domestic problems to win a penalty shoot-out – for once. Perhaps England can learn that it is not impossible to score from 12 yards. The early penalty ensured it was not to be a boring final and despite the match in Berlin only coming to life in short bursts, it was intense and irresistible. Zinedine Zidane looked to be departing football fittingly with his early goal but instead left in disgrace with a sickening headbutt, and France consequently lost the shoot-out, despite being the better side over the course of the two hours. But just by looking at the Italian players’ faces as they toured the gold trophy around the Olympiastadion for the fourth time reflected the enormity of the tournament and the extent to which winning it can complete a career. In the case of coach Marcello Lippi, “this is the most satisfying moment of my life. Winning the World Cup is the greatest satisfaction that any coach or footballer can ever feel.”

The blinds came down on Berlin with fireworks and white confetti. A truly mesmerising tournament came to an end in fairytale circumstances: a nation in domestic chaos lifting the treasured trophy. But the subplots are the elements that make a fairytale complete – and there were plenty of those in Germany: - not least the people of the host country who shifted from scepticism to passion in such a short period of time.