By Andrew Warshaw
June 28 – The recriminations are in full flow and the inquisition has already begun. But Germany’s fall from grace is not without precedent judging from recent World Cup history.
Three of the defending champions were knocked out in the group stage in the last four finals, with only Brazil bucking the trend in 2006.
Why Germany exited is an intriguing question. Arrogance? Over-confidence? Too much faith placed in trusted previous winners? Not enough youthful endeavour pushing for a place? Unimaginitive management?
Perhaps a combination of all of them but the fact that this was Germany – not Spain, not Italy – is what makes their early departure from Russia such a landmark moment in World Cup folklore.
Germany, remember, had not failed to get past the group stage since 1938, whether as West Germany in their previous guise or since east and west were united. In other words, in living memory for most of us.
They had flown into Russia with high hopes of going far into the tournament after so stylishly triumphing in Brazil four years ago.
As ever they were the team to beat. Except no-one expected them to fail against the likes of Mexico and South Korea.
Toni Kroos’ last-gasp freekick winner against Sweden had briefly reignited their hopes but it proved only to delay the inevitable.
The front page of Germany’s national newspaper Bild this morning read simply “Ohne Worte!” or “no words”, a nod to the very same front page under very different circumstances in 2014 following that memorable 7-1 semifinal win over Brazil.
“This is the biggest disgrace in German World Cup history!” the paper added.
To rub salt in wounds which prompted unhealthy doses of Schadenfreude across Europe, not only did they lose their last match 2-0 against already-eliminated South Korea in Kazan but they finished bottom of the table.
The fact is, however, that Germany were below par throughout the tournament, lacking a killer goalscorer (two goals in three games), without an influential leader and displaying precious little cohesion and penetration.
Coach Joachim Low has an ongoing contract but questions are bound to be raised about whether the team has become too predictable under his management.
“At the moment it is hard to say (why we have been eliminated),” said a crestfallen but commendably honest Low.
“The disappointment is just huge. We didn’t deserve to be winning the World Cup once again, we didn’t deserve to move into the Round of 16.”
The rebuilding job starts now for the four-time champions – with or without the man who led them to glory four years ago.
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