Germany conquer the world with planning, execution

It is no secret that when it comes to planning, execution and consistency, Germany has few equals. In virtually every sphere of human endeavour one can think of, the Germans often win half the battle because of their ability to plan for the future while most nations are too focused on dangerous quick-fixes.

While entire Europe slid into recession a few years ago, in Germany it was short-lived and soon it was bailing out other nations. Now, as in the past, it is an anchor of stability in the continent boasting one of the lowest unemployment rates in the developed world.

In sport too, Germany has blazed a trail that has left other nations in awe, its fourth World Cup title on Sunday once again confirming its status as one of the leading sporting nations of the world.

At 36, Miroslav Klose was considered by many to be too old to play in the important striker’s position, but he justified his country’s faith in him and became the leading scoring in World Cups with 16 goals – he was part of the German teams of 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 .

Nearly all the players in the side which defeated Argentina 1-0 in the Maracana stadium were also on the field in Cape Town four years ago in South Africa in a 4-0 quarter-final defeat of the South Americans.

Many have grown up together and played for Germany’s youth teams after the federation decided in 2000 on an overhaul of its programmes for developing young talent.

Keeper Manuel Neuer, captain Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Oezil, Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose all featured at some point during the 4-0 win over Argentina in 2010 when Germany were the second youngest squad in the tournament.

In 2006, when Germany defeated Argentina on penalties in the quarter-finals in Berlin, Lahm, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Mertesacker and Klose were on the pitch.

More experienced and mature, the golden generation has now brought the German federation the rewards for its work.

Coach Joachim Loew deserves much praise for the calm way he has nurtured the talented group and introduced many others since taking charge after the 2006 World Cup, when he was assistant to Juergen Klinsmann.

The German football federation DFB decided to make scouting and fostering new talent a priority in a programme which was further developed when former captain Matthias Sammer - now Bayern Munich sports director - was appointed sports director in 2005.

Germany were Under-19 European champions in 2008, and then won the Under-17 and Under-21 European titles in 2009. Before that, Germany had gone 16 years without a European title at junior level.

Six players who won the under-21 European Championships in 2009 appeared against Argentina a year later. And Sunday’s line-up in the Maracana also featured six players from that Under-21 side which beat England 4-1 in the 2009 final: Neuer, Benedikt Hoewedes, Boateng, Hummels, Khedira (who was injured in the warm-up Sunday) and Ozil.

Many in the current squad are certain to figure in the next 208 World Cup in Russia where Sunday’s match-winner Mario Goetze, now just 22, is expected to be one of the stars.

The German football juggernaut simply cannot be stopped.