They call it the 14-year old plan and it has finally delivered. In the year 2000, Germany didn't even make it past the group stage in the European Championship, and so the plan has begun. Every professional club in the first and second division of the Bundesliga has to fund a youth development program. They worked not only on skills, but on mentality. They promoted team spirit, and as always, Germany was never known for individual talents. Ever since they lost the final in 2002 against Brazil, Germany were always amongst the final four, in both European and World Cup Championships.
In Brazil, the path was hard. Germany had to face big teams such as; Portugal, Ghana, France, Brazil, to reach the final against Argentina at the Estadiodo Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The game was tight, Argentina had 3 to 4 risky counter attacks but didn't have the finish, and Messi failed to complete his dream by adding a world cup to his collection. Germany had the possession, the better statistics, and the odds were in their favor from the start. They had a remarkable physical tolerance which gave them an edge having played 120 minutes. Mario Goetze who entered as a substitute to Klose at the 88th minute, scored the goal of the match seven minutes prior to the final whistle.
Brazil waited 24 years from 1970 to 1994 to achieve the fourth star. Italy had to also wait 24 years from 1982 till 2006 to win their fourth title. And irony brings similar conditions to the Germans. Berlin and Munich celebrates the 4th star after a wait of 24 years; after having won the 1990 world cup. Rio had a bitter-sweet ending because despite Brazil's loss in the semi-final against Germany 7 to 1, the Brazilians supported Germany in the Final due to their long lasting rivalry with Argentina. On the contrary, the Brazilian supporters in Lebanon consider this World Cup as the worst ever. Unlimited jokes were shared after the loss of Brazil to Germany, and to wrap it up, Germany won in RIO, to make it a nightmare that history will never forget.
Germany did not only win their fourth title, but they broke plenty of records, the following to name a few:
- 224 Goals - Most by Any Country in World Cup History
- Klose's 16 Goals - Most by Any Individual in World Cup History
- Germany Becomes First Euro Team to Win World Cup on American Soil
- Brazil's Worst Defeat Ever
- Host Nation's Worst Defeat Ever
- Biggest Win, Highest Number of Goals in a Semi-Final of a World Cup
- Most World Cup Goals by a Country
- Most World Cup Final Appearances
Four years for the next World Cup to be hosted by Russia; new coaches, new talents, new winner. We hope to watch games as exciting as this year's; we aim to see new challenges and surprises. May the best team always win!
By : Stephany B.
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