Post match update. Score 2-2 after an exciting match which was 0-0 at half time. All the action came in the second half with Germany the first to score and then two quick goals from Ghana & I thought "is Germany Ghana go home?"
But enter substitute striker KLOSE, with years of experience, and around 15 goals in the three world cup finals in which he has played. Oh well, a draw is not what I wanted, but credit to Ghana. They played well, and the result is a fair reflection of a thrilling match!
IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN KLOSE. And good thing too, it would have been a real LOW point for Joachim to take on former German Coach Jurgen Klinsman in the Germany v USA clash with Germany under pressure to win.
IT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN KLOSE. And good thing too, it would have been a real LOW point for Joachim to take on former German Coach Jurgen Klinsman in the Germany v USA clash with Germany under pressure to win.
9PM SA Time: Germany take on Ghana
3 World Cup Titles.
- 17 Appearances in World Cup Finals
...
- 4 Times Runners UP
- 3rd place on 4 occasions
- 222 goals in World Cup Finals (prior to 2014), More than any other side in the world
- The Only side to play 100 world cup final matches
- Even Brazil, with 5 World Cups, and Italy with 4, have no answer to Germany's record at World Cup Finals.
That is the magic of football. The mighty can easily fall and bring back unwelcome memories of Stalingrad.
Of course, I hope for Germany to beat Ghana. I know there are some who believe that we in SA should support an African team.
There are two reasons I do not. Firstly, I find the idea of supporting a country's soccer team based on geographical proximity or common ethnicity objectionable as a matter of principle.
Thankfully most people who don't have a country to support tend to base their alternate choice of national side on considerations such as the dedication, the excellence or the flair with which they approach the game.
It's not strange then, that exciting sides like Brazil, Argentina, Holland and Italy have acquired supporters from across the globe. There might be a lesson in there for Africa....but this is not the place for it.
I can say that in the past, despite their undisputed record of consistency and excellence, Germany have not always been popular with soccer fans. This was because German soccer was considered to be disciplined but unimaginative and boring to watch. ...Perhaps stereotypes played a role in perception, perhaps not.
In 2010, this changed. Germany arrived with a young, exciting team which played some of the most exciting and attacking soccer of the tournament. They lost in the semis to the eventual world champions, Spain and earned many new international fans in the process. Remember the 4-1 win against England and the 4-0 win against Argentina.
This year's stat against Portugal, 4-0 serves notice that Joachim Low's men are hoping to deliver more of the same. No boring and defensive soccer after going into the lead.
I'm hoping to see the talented Julian Draxler, who plays for Schalke 04 get a run tonight.
GERMANY'S JULIAN DRAXLER
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