Fussball Malaise
I remember my family celebrating Germany's World Cup win in '74. I remember little else that year.Glory Days Over, Germany Hoping for Soccer Miracle
There used to be a time when you could rely on German football. When the sober strip of white shirt and black shorts discreetly emblazoned with the national eagle represented a brand of determination, danger and infuriating luck that struck fear into the hearts of even the most skilled opponents.
And as the first Canadian generation of European parents, German soccer was one of the only connections I had with the "old country..." During the 70's Dad and I used to get up early Sunday morning to watch "Soccer Made in Germany", a show that used to run on PBS (?) before we moved to B.C. It was a one hour highlight of the best of the games that week. That was the show that made me a fan of the game.
For decades, soccer success, alongside economic achievement, was the only legitimate outlet for national pride and the players seemed driven by that responsibility. The whole nation drew confidence from their achievements, and became accustomed to them.
Sounds kind of like Canada and hockey, doesn't it?
For Germany, the significance of the World Cup goes well beyond sporting pride and the slight boost to economic growth expected from increased tourism and consumer spending. The tournament offers the country a chance to shake off the collective depression that has befallen it after years of mass unemployment and declining prosperity.
Many of my relatives have fallen to arguing with each other over the state of Germany since reunification. Some are even regretting the Berlin Wall coming down because, in the words of an aunt who lives in what used to be West Germany, the Eastern relatives are lazy, stupid and "eat and crap all the tax dollars I've paid since the war." An attitude that goes little beyond ruthless self-interest, but an attitude that is common from what I've heard.
Commentators are attaching huge psychological importance to next Wednesday's match against the United States, hardly a soccer giant. A defeat would only deepen Germany's gloom and leave the nation praying for a miracle.
And that's why I'm going to watch: because the Germans now have something at stake and are underdogs. Every goal will mean something, every win will be a triumph - they now have something more than a game at stake. And it's usually those kind of tournaments that are the most entertaining to watch.
I saw the Euro Cup semi-final between England and Germany back in the late 90s, while in Austria. Went to a shoot out and Germany won on something like the 10th shot. Talk about suspense! Hope the Germans do well in the World Cup, at home.
Posted by keith on 03/19 at 02:59 PMDon't get me started on penalties.
Posted by Flea on 03/26 at 11:03 AM
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