Germany Never Surrender

Germany are usually there or thereabout when the honours are handed out, their sights and expectations are always set high. Their success is based on deep reserves of experience, great tactical awareness and the ability to rise to the occasion in major tournaments. Clinical efficiency and unbending resolve rather than sparkling skill are the hallmarks of Die Mannschaft as they are affectionately known worldwide. Taking a closer look at the team that paraded the Germany flag at the recent World Cup, I wondered whether they were running short of pure German talent but quickly recalled that even Adolf Hitler, arguably best known German of all time was not born in Germany, but in Austria-Hungary.

The current Mannschaft has what it takes to acquire a world-class billing. Half of the team that took bronze at the World Cup last year was once eligible to play for other countries as well. Five of them were not born in Germany. Mentor Joachim Loew’s injection of young blood paid dividends as Germany became faster and offensive after promoting six youngsters from the U-21 side that conquered Europe in 2009. Five of those youngsters could have featured for other countries other than Germany.

Goal machine, Miroslav Klose who is Germany’s second all time top goal scorer and World Cup 2996 Golden Boot winner was born in Poland. He is the only man to have scored five goals in consecutive World Cups. His 14 goals puts him second behind Ronaldo in the World Cup highest all time scorers charts. Germany has never lost  when Klose had scored. Speaking to a Polish daily newspaper Klose said; “It will be better if not to be paid German or Polish, but European.” Another Polish born player is Lukas Podolski. Podolski migrated to Germany when he was 2 years old. He has been a key figure in the national team setup and was once rewarded when he won the Best Young Player accolade at the 2006 World Cup.

The right of return for those of Germany roots is a Germany law that allows people of Germany descent living in Eastern Europe to return to Germany and claim citizenship, under which Piotr Trochowski’s parents returned to Germany from Poland, where he was born. Her mother’s numerous letters she sent to the Polish FA informing them about her talented son did not bear any results. In 2005 Trochowski made it clear where his heart was when he said: “My heart is closer to Poland, but nobody there was interested in me, so I play for the Germans.” Stuttgart attacker, Cacau gained citizenship after living 8 years in Germany whilst Marin, was born in Yugoslavia and moved to Germany when he was 2 years old.

Mesuit Ozil, of Turkish descent recites Quaran verses before all his matches to help him stay focused. He was quoted saying: “My technique and feeling of the ball is the Turkish side of my game. The discipline, attitude and always-give-your-all mentality is the Germany part. I pray and my teammates know that they cannot talk to me during this brief period.” Loew has altered his formation to accommodate this precocious talent. Chief playmaker, Ozil is providing dose of subtle skill, quick thinking, unpredictability and wrecks havoc in the opponent’s final third. He was a catalyst in Germany’s successful European U-21 campaign.

Jerome Boateng who has a German mother and a Ghananian father chose Germany ahead of Ghana which was chosen by Kevin-Prince Boateng. Sami Khedira, like many, chose Germany though he had a Tunisian father and a Germany father. Dennis Aogo came through the Karlsruhe Academy and has a Germany mother and a Nigerian father. Serdar Tasci was also eligible to play for Turkey as well because of his Turkish descent and Germany birthright, whereas Mario Gomes chose Germany ahead of Spain where his father comes from.

Of the 22 men who represented Die Mannschaft at the World Cup, only Toni Kroos was born in East Germany. East and West Germany entered a reunion in 1990. Die Mannschaft has what it takes to acquire world-class billing no doubt. Three times, they have conquered the world and Europe.

By Vusumuzi Mourinho Ndlovu