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5 Reasons Germany are always World Cup favourites

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mesut Oezil of Germany raises the World Cup trophy with teammates Kevin Grosskreutz, Roman Weidenfeller, Shkodran Mustafi and Erik Durm after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mesut Oezil of Germany raises the World Cup trophy with teammates Kevin Grosskreutz, Roman Weidenfeller, Shkodran Mustafi and Erik Durm after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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SOCHI, RUSSIA – JUNE 29: Amin Younes of Germany celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal with Joachim Loew, coach of Germany during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Semi-Final between Germany and Mexico at Fisht Olympic Stadium on June 29, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
SOCHI, RUSSIA – JUNE 29: Amin Younes of Germany celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal with Joachim Loew, coach of Germany during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Semi-Final between Germany and Mexico at Fisht Olympic Stadium on June 29, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) /

Approach

There is a dichotomy between Brazil and Germany’s approach to success. Brazilian philosophy is about creative individuals combining selflessly to succeed.

While Germany have a genesis which begins developing a young team put together to grow and mould as a unit for the good of one another. Believing no one man is the star; because you can only win a major tournament if everyone pulls together.

When studying this resolve as a mind-set or approach, something else occurred to me: determination. Exquisite double ballon d’or recipient Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said while playing club football in Italy, Italians referred to him as ‘The German’.

When asking them why, Rummenigge learned that they thought Germans; ‘never give up, even when two nil behind.’

Intensely put, as always, by 1974 World Cup champion Paul Breitner:

"“In Germany every child begins a sport at two, three or four years old. Whether a girl or boy, they don’t learn this sport so that the child has fun or enjoys it. No! Parents in Germany let their children learn sport, so that the child learns to win. To win! Only then, when I win more often than lose, does sport become fun and enjoyable.” (Via: History channel’s ‘7 Goals That Shocked The World‘)"

Their mentality is that they are rightly favourites. Knowing their strengths and implementing them in any game. Whether beating host nation Brazil 7-1 in a semi-final, or rivals Austria 1-0 in a friendly.

Rather than look at a scenario as negative pressure, contrarily it is positive pressure. Low claims he forgot about the 7-goal hammering the next day.

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