Germans take soccer world by storm

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/07/2010 (5935 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE 2006 World Cup was a coming-out party for the new Germany. Not since reunification had the country — both East and West — come together in a confident expression of patriotism. Not since the end of the Second World War had German nationalism not been accompanied by feelings of uneasiness, both inside its borders and out.

That tournament — which Germany hosted — represented the growing-up of the German nation. No longer mortified of exhibiting pride in itself, as though the very trace of nationalism would be enough to stir the perils of times past, this was a Germany at peace with itself and the world, assured of its place in the global community and destined to thrive in it.

And thrive they have. Four years after a surprising third-place finish on home soil, Germany has taken the 2010 World Cup by storm. They’ve been by far the most eye-catching side in South Africa, their combination of creative attacking play and competent defending a welcome departure from the programmed, robotic teams of previous campaigns.

But it’s the inclusion of first-generation, multi-ethnic German players that really sets this squad apart from its predecessors. Where once the national team was predominantly white, blonde and entirely West German, this installment includes players with roots in Ghana, Tunisia, Brazil, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Nigera, and yes, East Germany. Five of the 23-man squad were not even born in Germany, and five of the starting 11 could have played internationally elsewhere. One is a practising Muslim.

It’s a dramatic shift that has taken place in less than a decade, and it represents the fluidity of borders and cultures that defines modern Europe. And while this reality took a bit longer to infiltrate both German society and German soccer, it’s very much the reality at the moment, and the national team is reaping the benefits.

With Bayern Munich forward Thomas Mueller suspended for today’s semifinal against Spain, coach Joachim Loew will draw yet another foreign-born player into the lineup in the form of Hamburg midfielder Piotr Trochowski. Born in northern Poland, Trochowski will join fellow Poles Lucas Podolski and Miroslav Klose in attack, along with Mesut Oezil, who is Turkish.

Klose will lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Trochowski, Özil and Podolski in support. All four will interchange positions, allowing for the smooth, seamless soccer that destroyed both England and Argentina.

Spontaneous and dynamic, the style of modern German soccer is really a reflection of its new, young and diverse society. There is energy in this team — a creative spark that simply didn’t exist in the old, monocultural talent pool. That’s something to be celebrated, to be enjoyed.

Win or lose on the pitch today, Germany as a country has already earned a heartwarming victory.

jerradpeters@gmail.com