» Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:50 am
Foxy'z anolysis:
First, Fitness and Pace. Germany have the youngest team in the Cup, and it shows, especially in the Second Half. England was gasping for breath in the Second Half, and in the final fifteen minutes of this second half Argentina was too.
Second, psychological unity. Have you noticed that the German team doesn't yell at each other when mistakes happen? The one who makes the mistake acknowledges it: his teammates support him. When it comes to psychological unity between teamates, and between team and coach, Germany is the Anti-France.
Third, Tactical Thinking. Of course one expects the country of Von Clauswitz and Mercedes Benz to be terrifyingly logical and technically polished, but what amazes me is that Germany has done it with an average age 25 team. Normally a footballer hits his experience peak at 30, five years after his physical peak at 25. It seems Germany has done the trick of planting a 30 year old head on 25 year old shoulders.