[Skybird]

Tranmission problems were a global phenomenon, due to an electricity breakdown in the very centre, Vienna TV headquarters. German TV than fed in swiss TV transmission directly - Swiss TV is the only one being connected directly into the stadium.

Okay Germany won, but it was the open, very close match that I predicted - just worse. Turkey copied Croatian tactics - and the germans demonstrated in first half that they had nothing learned form the match against Croatia, again stumbling around helplessly and without orientation. That improved only so far, and not more. Spain and Russia will have watched the game, and will have noticed that, too. Expect to see more of that in final. The foul in 51. minute was technically a clear, medium-level foul and right on the line, as to be seen in slo-mo, rules say the line is part of penalty zone and thus the germans were rejected a justified penalty. but I am not thinking that a goal from that would have changed the match that much. I also think that if it were the russians today, Germany would have lost: the Russians are even more agile and faster and technically skilled than the Turks.

So, yes, it is the final, but the play of a sovereign aspirant for the title looks different. I think a turkish victory would have been deserved, too, but as it is now the Germans obviously had a little bit more luck. With luck again that is enough against Spain (with luck, remember). Against Russia it will not be enough.

For the time being, congratulations and "enjoy!" to the german team nevertheless.

P.S. when I was five years old, we were on holiday in Bavaria, halfway between Salzburg and Bad Reichenhall. the world championship was running (later won by the germans), and the Tv transmission also failed during a match of the Germans. One farm away, a farmer ran right into the barn and there shot himself with a hunting rifle in despair. Thats what I call solid fanship!