Putting Germany v England Into Perspective

Obviously, after yesterday's memorable demolition my pessimistic outlook on the England v Germany game now seems totally wrongheaded. My main argument was that England's experience would ultimately win out over Germany's youthful spirit. Retrospectively, I feel stupid for falling for the narrative of England's putatively "golden generation," a myth nurtured primarily by the self-understanding of the Premiership as the gold standard of international football (when in fact the league's sense of entitlement is equally inflated as its transfer fees and debts). Also, I didn't think it possible that the great Fabio Capello would be outcoached by Jogi Löw.

Yet, I also can't help thinking that England coming back to level the score from two goals down --within one minute nonetheless-- can in fact only be ascribed to Germany's inexperience. The fact that the second goal was wrongfully disallowed doesn't absolve the German players of their responsibility for what could have been a meltdown of epic proportions.

Now, it is of course the easiest strategy to avoid any kind of speculation on how the game would have developed if England had indeed been awarded the equalizer. However, when Klose was sent off against Serbia I made the case that Germany --in all probability-- wouldn't have lost that game with all of their  players on the pitch. And I do have a feeling (what else could it be?) that Germany would have been in deep trouble had the "curse of Wembley" not come to haunt England once again. (Also, can we now stop bringing up that '66 goal every time we play England, please? We're even, once and for all, okay?)

Having said all that, the overwhelmingly accepted narrative (in both the German and English press) is that the disallowed goal didn't matter all that much in the end. England is said to have been completely outclassed by Germany and, therefore, doesn't deserve to hide behind the excuse of the non-goal. (No other country seems to enjoy self-abasement quite as much the English and the mercilessness with which the national team is treated never ceases to amaze me). Strangely, the English press seems to perversely enjoy the unambiguous result just as much their German counterparts precisely because it takes away any significance of the blown call.

(Sepp, can we please get some form of video replay now, please? No, you say? Well, I'm sure you have good reasons as you're a very wise man who honestly cares for the good of the game...)

To some extent the reading of the game (of one team outclassing the other) does indeed make sense. England looked terrible --"overweight," as Steve McManaman put it-- in trying to contain the German attacks (particualrly in the first 30 minutes). Yet, very few people mention how nervous Germany looked in the ten to fifteen minutes before and after the half when England --far from being brilliant-- were the more dominant team. Or, that England has some very decent chances of their own (Defoe, Lampard). The game was ultimately decided by two beautifully executed German counterattacks, which separated England's slightly better period after the half from the last twenty minutes of the game during which England had already accepted its fate and Germany almost seemed to show remorse (or, at least, a lot of restraint).

Now, I'm definitely not trying to take anything away from what has undoubtedly been a great performance by Germany. They were by far the superior team and are deservedly going through to the quarterfinals where I think they could be up for a surprise against favorites Argentina, who didn't look overly impressive against a surprisingly wishy-washy Mexican team. (Before the game, my friend Don and I went to the Mexican supermarket and the Mexican butcher working there complained about the lack of heart in Mexico's team. He had a point.*) But still, the German victory --as enjoyable as it was-- would be better remembered as a close game than a blowout.


*An earlier version included a lame joke on Mexico's former coach S.-G. Eriksson, which was removed due the fact that he was fired over a year ago (and, of course, coached the Ivorian team at this year's World Cup). I'm a real expert.