Germans March On

We’ve heard it all before. Never underestimate the Germans. They have an enviable World Cup pedigree. They are the host nation. They enjoy terrific support. They are managed by Jurgen Klinsmann – a national icon in the Franz Beckenbauer mould (and look what he achieved!). And having made their most impressive World Cup start since 1970, they seem to be peaking at the right time.

Their comfortable 3-0 victory over Equador has enabled them to clinch first position in their group and to avoid meeting England in the first stage of the knock-out process. With two goals, Miroslav Klose already has four in the tournament and a real chance of overhauling his charismatic manager as a World Cup goalscorer and ominously, his partner Lukas Podolski has now notched his first in the competition. As a team, they’re looking increasingly confident and efficient and they appear to have no serious injuries to worry about.

So on the brink of the second phase of the 2006 World Cup, it’s a familiar story. Don’t underestimate the Germans.