I remember back 2002, when I was watching my first World Cup match, it was Germany vs USA. I dont remember most of the game, but I remember this. Ballack 39. I didnt understand suspensions much then, all I remember when the entire extended family was watching the final at my uncles home was asking where this Ballack guy was. I dont know if my family had bet on Brazil or what, but even the 8 year old me knew I was the only German supporter in that room, and deep down inside, I cried Kahns tears. My love story with die Mannschaft was just beginning Fast forward to 2006, and Lahms hammer in the opening game reignited my spark for Germany. The two goals from Podolski, and oh look, theres Ballack. Let us not forget the dispatching of tonights opposition that year. Why should the Germans fall on home soil? Waking up to hear the defeat to Italy really killed me. Those cheating show boaters, I wanted them dead, or to lose the final at least. Gigi Buffons save in ET, the iconic headbutt, the dismissal of Zidane, followed by Trezeguets miss. Bloody Italians had won it. I wonder if that had happened now, when I am so emotionally invested in the game, would I have sunk into depression again. 2010 and two consecutive demolitions of Argentina(again) and England. I remember being so anxious about the Argentina game and how this new kid called Thomas Mueller, just calmed all my fears early in the game. Why did I ever doubt? But I knew enough about the game by then, already an ardent follower, to know that Spain would beat us, just like they did in Euro 2008. I actually didnt want to watch the game, but it didnt hurt, really, it just sucked a lot. That once again, Germany would be within touching distance, but it was not meant to be. I have to admit, depression in 2012 meant I didnt really bother to follow Euro, and now the entire 2013-2014 season had left me so focused on Liverpool that I actually forgot about the World Cup. Perhaps it was simply due to the long stretch of not following the Germans progress, or their dismal friendly results before the finals, but I entered the World Cup as a neutral, citing Netherlands, England (I was probably drunk) and Brazil as the real contenders. The new number 13, the kid from South Africa, comfortably trounced Portugal 4-0 with a hat trick, but still I was unconvinced that the journey for Germanys young squad would be smooth sailing. I admit that I knew few of the new blood well, and the games against Ghana and Algeria confirmed my fears. France looked like an impossible force to overcome having been the most convincing starting XI in the whole tournament (draw against Ecuador was not starting XI) and I seriously doubted the Germans at this stage. But watching the match, the way they attacked, the passing and the firmness of the defence, my faith had been restored. Brushing past the Brazilians was nothing less than expected, and from that point on it became clear that this year, Germany would win the World Cup. I know have been trolling quite a bit this World Cup, but tonight, the wager is bigger than ever before, it is an emotional one. Another 4 years of disappointment, or the closure to 12 years of sorrow. No more heartache, no more being second best. Tonight, our boys will show the world who the champions are, how the distinctive and consistent German play is the best. We will defeat the Argentines, we will make history as the first European side to win in South America, and we will bring the World Cup back to where it belongs. #DFB #dieMannschaft #GERvsARG #TeamNotSouthAmerica
Posted on: Sun, 13 Jul 2014 03:53:26 +0000
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