Mario Götze scored the trophy-winning goal and Bastian Schweinsteiger was the undisputed leader, but Jérôme Boateng made a huge contribution of his own to Germany's World Cup final triumph against Argentina. The big centre-half played the game of his life at the Maracana, thwarting Lionel Messi and Co time and time again.
In a telling gesture after the final whistle, Mats Hummels made a beeline for his centre-back partner and threw his arms around his shoulders. Whenever danger threatened, Boateng was there, putting in tackles and covering for the Dortmund man. The embrace between the pair was symbolic of an extraordinary team ethic, described by coach Joachim Löw after the match as "unbelievable".
Niersbach praises ‘Class of 2009’
Interviewed by ARD television shortly after the trophy presentation, DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach explicitly and justifiably praised the "Class of 2009", spearheaded so impressively by Boateng in the showpiece final. It is proving a wonderful generation and promises to bear even more fruit in the future. "We had six players on the field today who won the U-21 European championship in Sweden five years ago," observed Niersbach, although his observation was not entirely correct.
Due to Sami Khedira’s late withdrawal, only five of the heroes of 2009 contested the Rio final, with Boateng and Hummels joined by keeper Manuel Neuer, Benedikt Höwedes and Mesut Özil. On the other hand, Boateng performed with the strength of two men. His positional play and timing in the tackle were close to perfection, he read the game with consummate skill and was a towering aerial presence, making him the pivotal figure in the back four on Sunday.
Boateng won 83 percent of his challenges and cut a figure of immense authority at the heart of the rearguard, just like Neuer behind him. "I'm physically tired, but I'm overjoyed we've made it. The match was thrilling and incredibly intense, for the players as well as the fans," Boateng said.
Crucial importance of youth development
By contrast, the 4-0 victory over England in the U-21 European championship final in Malmö was a stroll in the park, although the match showcased the immense potential of Boateng and company at an early stage. "One of the reasons we've come so far is our excellent youth development work,” national team manager Oliver Bierhoff commented.
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Mario Götze scored the trophy-winning goal and Bastian Schweinsteiger was the undisputed leader, but Jérôme Boateng made a huge contribution of his own to Germany's World Cup final triumph against Argentina. The big centre-half played the game of his life at the Maracana, thwarting Lionel Messi and Co time and time again.
In a telling gesture after the final whistle, Mats Hummels made a beeline for his centre-back partner and threw his arms around his shoulders. Whenever danger threatened, Boateng was there, putting in tackles and covering for the Dortmund man. The embrace between the pair was symbolic of an extraordinary team ethic, described by coach Joachim Löw after the match as "unbelievable".
Niersbach praises ‘Class of 2009’
Interviewed by ARD television shortly after the trophy presentation, DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach explicitly and justifiably praised the "Class of 2009", spearheaded so impressively by Boateng in the showpiece final. It is proving a wonderful generation and promises to bear even more fruit in the future. "We had six players on the field today who won the U-21 European championship in Sweden five years ago," observed Niersbach, although his observation was not entirely correct.
Due to Sami Khedira’s late withdrawal, only five of the heroes of 2009 contested the Rio final, with Boateng and Hummels joined by keeper Manuel Neuer, Benedikt Höwedes and Mesut Özil. On the other hand, Boateng performed with the strength of two men. His positional play and timing in the tackle were close to perfection, he read the game with consummate skill and was a towering aerial presence, making him the pivotal figure in the back four on Sunday.
Boateng won 83 percent of his challenges and cut a figure of immense authority at the heart of the rearguard, just like Neuer behind him. "I'm physically tired, but I'm overjoyed we've made it. The match was thrilling and incredibly intense, for the players as well as the fans," Boateng said.
Crucial importance of youth development
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By contrast, the 4-0 victory over England in the U-21 European championship final in Malmö was a stroll in the park, although the match showcased the immense potential of Boateng and company at an early stage. "One of the reasons we've come so far is our excellent youth development work,” national team manager Oliver Bierhoff commented.
The England team eliminated in the group stages in Brazil featured only James Milner from the 2009 final. By contrast, the half-dozen Germany players who graduated from Malmö to Rio and in particular the five defensive specialists formed a near-impregnable bloc. "They're all leaders and winners," remarked Horst Hrubesch, the U–21 coach at the tournament in Sweden.
Hummels emphasised the vital importance of top quality youth and junior programmes. "At an early stage we all learned to place everything in its proper context. It means we keep our feet on the ground after victories, and maintain our belief after defeats. We deal very rationally with each performance," the Dortmund star explained. Hrubesch rates as a key figure in instilling this important sense of perspective.
"We already know we have a lot more terrific players coming through," Niersbach proudly remarked after the triumph at the Maracana. The association president was not only referring to the players younger than the Class of 2009 who made the Germany squad for Brazil, although the list is an impressive one as it features Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos, Shkodran Mustafi, Matthias Ginter, Ron-Robert Zieler, Christoph Kramer, Julian Draxler, Erik Durm, André Schürrle and Mario Götze.
