Words: James Somper
Last night’s win was more than a triumph on the pitch, it was the final triumph of a modern nation over the demons of its past. Germany’s win was the last step on a 70 year journey of honest reflection amidst persistent football chants about ‘two world wars!’ But Europe’s great industrial power has learnt from its dark history and, like any winning team, turned its mistakes into lessons that informed a winning formula – here’s how they did it.
Respect
The last two generations of Germans have been taught one thing above all else: respect others. The Germans were admirably modest at half time in their astonishing Brazil game and last night they formed an honour guard for the defeated, heartbroken Argentinians. A true gentleman is not only humbled in defeat, but gracious in victory.
Don’t place your faith in icons
Germany was led in to WW2 by a man who cultivated a god-like status, but Germany came through this tournament coached by an unknown. Although Joachim Low had managed at club level, it came as a surprise when he was appointed as Jurgen Klinsmann’s successor but the gamble paid off.
Don’t get complacent
The Germans lost the Second World War through a belief in their indestructibility. Hitler was so convinced that the he’d swallow up Russia that he failed to issue his Army with winter clothing. For a team that went in to this world cup as a clear favourite, it left nothing to chance, spending hours on the training field.
Be organised
Some say that D-day was lost because their wasn’t enough petrol for the SS Panzers and the Germans didn’t believe an attack was possible during inclement weather. In contrast, the victorious team’s path to the final was carefully crafted by players and coaches who left nothing to chance and no stone unturned, bringing ruthless German efficiency to the world’s greatest sporting stage.
Power divides, passion unites
Behind the party rallies and vicious propaganda, the Third Reich was bitterly divided by power-hungry individuals with socio-pathic tendencies. In Brazil, the German team was lauded for it’s mercurial team chemistry and beautiful passing game, a testament to the power of teamwork over the individualism of Messi’s Argentina and (no comparison made) Hitler’s Nazi Party.
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