Largely played and officiated in the right spirit, with drama throughout, it’s fitting there’ll be a feel-good factor regardless of who wins the World Cup final.
On the one hand it would be absolutely right if one of the greatest ever, Lionel Messi, caps his incredible career with the big one.
On the other hand it’s impossible to begrudge a National Mannschaft who have been building to this moment for over a decade.
These are two proud and great football nations, and each have waited their turn – Argentina since Maradona inspired them in 1986, Germany since getting their revenge four years later in Italy.
That was a fairly dour German national team, but to this then-teenager, besotted by the trio of Internazionale Germans Jurgen Klinsmann, Andreas Brehme and Lothar Matthaus, it was the greatest team ever. Of course, experience and the education football provides over time eventually got me back on track and I soon realised that the German team were anything but the bee’s knees.
Indeed, as we moved through the ’90s it became clear the Germans were more robots – or as the modern marketers might say, clones – than gods. I went through the second half of that decade and the early part of the last despising the likes of Oliver Bierhoff, Carsten Jancker and Jens Jeremies. They symbolised the ugly side of the beautiful game, in which the physical too often dominated the technical.
Fortunately, the use of brawn over finesse failed Deutschland exactly a decade after their last World Cup success, and it triggered the nation’s governing body to institute a regime of producing more technically refined footballers.
As Han Berger once said to me, the Germans being German all recognised the problem, immediately took the collective responsibility and played their part in the process change.
What it eventually produced was an incredible array of attacking talent, including the likes of Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Mario Goetze, Toni Kroos and Julian Draxler who adorn this squad. That’s not even including the unfortunate Marco Reus, who missed Brazil due to injury.
But before the arrival of the current generation came a revolution in thought from the 2006 team, coached at home by Jurgen Klinsmann.
While the team that finished second in 2002 had been known for its dour physicality, there was a freshness in the way Klinsmann’s side approached things, getting on the front foot and playing an eye-catching brand of attacking football.
With current squad members Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker all part of that exciting squad, there has been a seamless evolution over the years. At the core of that transition has been the fact the Joachim Loew was Klinsmann’s assistant, and he has continued to evolve the Mannschaft in the subsequent eight years.
It’s therefore impossible to begrudge a nation like Germany, encouraging creative forces through the system, their moment if it eventuates in the Maracana.
In many ways it would be ironic that they will have taken out Brazil and Argentina, South American powerhouses noted for their player production over the years.
While Argentina still boast the world’s greatest player, their work in Brazil has been far more workmanlike than flowing. Nevertheless, I’ve been impressed with the way Alejandro Sabella has evolved the team throughout the tournament.
In the early stages they faced a succession of of roadblocks, teams sitting back and asking Argentina to overcome them. It wasn’t easy to play against, but Argentina invariably found the solution at the feet of Messi, even if it wasn’t always pretty.
But in the quarter final and semi there have been different tests, and I’ve been impressed by the way Sabella has set out his stall in a 4-4-1-1.
Defensive discipline has been at the centre of the wins over Belgium and the Netherlands, and Sabella has taken the decision to bring Martin Demichelis in central defence alongside Ezequiel Garay and Lucas Biglia into central midfield alongside the indefatigable Javier Mascherano.
What we are seeing is a team growing by the game, a trait you often see in World Cup champions. All have been making a contribution.
I was in awe of the way Sabella didn’t get sucked in to Louis van Gaal’s trap in the semi, calculating sporadic attacks so that the Dutch wouldn’t go quickly and hurt them the other way. It was clever, heads-up play from the street-smart Albiceleste, and they were clearly the better side.
What this defensive base has provided is a foundation for Messi to flourish. In both the quarter and semi-finals he was without Angel di Maria and Sergio Aguero for the most part, and having them back for at least a part of the final can only be a bonus.
While in their absence Sabella has had good contributions from the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Enzo Perez and Rodrigo Palacio, showcasing the depth to the the job done, Messi will relish having a bit of focus thrust in the direction of di Maria or Aguero.
With Argentina undoubtedly keen to engage Germany in an arm wrestle, this is like to be a tense, tight and tactical final, decided by the finest margins.
Sabella will be doing everything in his power to stop the collective German flow, and my sense is Messi might enjoy a little more room against this offensive Germany than he has hitherto had. That may ultimately prove the difference.
Me Too
Guest
Nice to read an article by someone who can read a game. Sabella has coached very well and it will be interesting if how he nullifies a confident attacking Germany.
Frank
Guest
"There is shades of 1974 in this 2014 final." That's what I've been thinking, only for different reasons. In 1974 the Netherlands had it won. They had arguably the best side ever - total football. Most people are picking Germany because they won 7-1. But (and this is harsh) that was more poor defence than great attack. Some of those goals were weak. Germany have problems - like Mezut Oezil going awol since leaving Real Madrid. And that can be beaten. I think Germany will win, but there's a little bit of 1974 in that people seem to think Germany winning is a formality. Argentina have been organized in defence in the last two games, and maybe like the Germans of 1974, their defence will see them through. Cruyff's side had a gut-load of ball, but they couldn't put Germany away.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yeah? I loved the 2006 final. So dramatic and eventful. Could have easily seen 4 or 5 goals had it not been for hitting the bar or great saves. 2010 was pretty rubbish.
1860melbourne
Guest
After 2006 and 2010 final being lacklustre at best I hope we get a decent game. My head says Germany but I want Argentina to pull it off with a Messi wondergoal leaving 4 German defenders in his wake in the final minute. VAMOS ARGENTINA!
Pats
Guest
Sheek - with exception of the result (I'm tipping Argentina) I agree with everything you've said. The whole Argentina is a one man band arguement has become very tired during this World Cup. - they're a very well balanced, organised and consistent team with a good mix of attacking options and defensive strength. Yes, Messi is the focal point, but he would be in any team. I actually think these two sides are very evenly matched and expect this to be a close game. I'm hoping we'll avoid it being decided on penalties (this world cup has had everything and deserves a classic 2-1, 3-2 final), but I expect it to be a very tight game and with both sides well organised defensively, I'm thinking 1-0 or penalties are the most likely outcomes here.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Never easy to barrack for the krauts but have to say I wouldnt mind another hiding by a euto side on so called south american giants. We are at 10-1 aggregate after the 2 semis and the losers small final. A german win would definitely shut up the doubters who said before ahnd that euro sides cant perform far from Europe.
yoyo
Guest
Yep. A Football season at that level is extremely exhausting. 34 standard Liga matches, national Cup, Champions League, heaps of Internationals, WC, Continental Cup. It's an absolute marathon for these guys. A Football player at that level runs more than 10 kms per game and has easily 50+ games per season all over the world. Combine the travel, the marathon, the constant fouls/hits into the legs/shins and the many thousands of headers per season. Just one standard header with a FIFA matchball from a corner for example would leave any untrained person with a 2 hour headache. Combine all this and overall Football is the toughest sport in the world, no doubt.
Kasey
Guest
Those of us watching South Africa 2010 saw the green shoots of a wünderteam. 4 goals past Australia, Argentina, England and only going out to the eventual champions in a 1-0 nailbiter...now with 4 more years together and the experiences they've collected, it really isn't a big surprise to see this German team running rampant. As an engineer I give complete respect for the DFB for putting in place a plan and sticking with it. Lets not forget they could have thrown the plan out the window when our boys shocked them 2-1 in Mönchengladbach in march 2011! Instead they trusted their coach and plan. Well done to our Tuetonic cousins and as a half-Dutchy its not going to be easy to watch their success if they lift the Jules Rimet tomorrow morning, but the engineer in me will applaud for the reasons I've outlined above:)
sheek
Roar Guru
Gidday Tony, There is shades of 1974 in this 2014 final. Lionel Messi is the 2014 version of Netherlands' Johan Cruyff in 1974 - the brilliant individual genius up against a team of champions. Not that there was anything one-man about the Dutch team of 1974, as they also played the 1978 final as well, this time without Cruyff. Nor is Argentina a one man band, as has been pointed out by other writers. And nor is Germany without its stars, indeed plenty across the board, in fact. Has there ever been a higher level of consistent excellence across four world cups than that of Miroslav Klose? Runner-up in 2002, 3rd in both 2006 & 2010, the worst he can do here is another runner-up. I'm tipping Germany in a tight one. I just hope the two teams play positively. The game deserves a great final. Both teams have the players & talent to make it a memorable occasion.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great piece Tony, the Germans recognised after a great run of 3 straight WC Finals that change was required. This generation is outstanding. Brazil should have followed there blueprint after there golden generation of players 94-2002. As you say the Argies have built nicely and will be a tough out. I think both teams will park the Bus but the Germans to prevail 2-0 with two late goals.
pete4
Guest
Interesting to read Lio Messi's father come out and claim his son is "exhausted" after such a long season Your right the Germans will go in high on confidence but a moment of magic may prove the differance