Strontium Dog wrote:I have a theory that it's only footballing success which is keeping Germany's natural megalomaniacal tendencies in check. No world wars started now for 75 years, in which time Germany has won four World Cups, so the world is probably safe for another 20 years or so.
Yup, no longer do we have to cower in terror at the playing of
Deutschland über alles.
Unless of course, you play for, or support England.
On the other hand ... the next international tournaments are in France (Euro 2016) and Russia (World Cup 2018). Germany has some previous with both of those. Will the Germans finally get to Moscow? Or to Paris again?
On the subject of officiating: I thought the standard was very good in the last few games, but it was as much about the players behaving themselves. It wasn't too long ago that most of us were complaining about Brazil's rough-house approach against Colombia, and the referee's unwillingness to take a firm line early on. In the final, the referee booked two German players in quick succession around the half hour mark, and that would have sent a message to all the other players on both sides.
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