Germany played fantastic during the Confed-Cup - and after that the team and coach fell into a deep black hole and never came out of that. Another defeat today would bring german soccer into a deep crisis, so short before the championship, after scandals of league manipulations and bought game results, the arrogant behavior of the national coach (spending more time in California than in Germany), and the unacceptable performances of the team in recent matches (the 1:4 against Italy was like beein eaten up alive).
american teams often show high motivation and pride, and I think they will beat the Germans today. The complete helplessness ont he faces of Klinsmann and Bierhoff after recent matches speaks volumes.
The luck of German teams in during champiomnship is proverbial, and also there probably will be a raise in fighting spirit once the event has started, yes. But I could imagine that this time it will not be enough. It is very possible that germany even will not survive the first round, turning all finacial investments and economical predicitons into a chaotic mess.
Not to mention the blame. The German soccer association DFB is the biggest sports organization worldwide...
Really, it's true!
There were plans by some to order Klinsmann to appear before the Bundestag and explain the siutation, and other voices suggested one should confiscate his passport the next time he enters germany, and keep it until the championship is over.
