World Champions - what next? 2014 was dominated by World Cup success in Brazil. Germany’s national team excited football fans across the globe. They now want to start an era of dominance and achieve more success. In order to do this the team must develop – New players, new ideas and solutions for the upcoming challenges. 2014 was a triumphant year, 2015 will hopefully lay the foundations for further success.
After the game is before the game, after the game is also before the speech. A nice traditional has emerged in the national team – after a player makes his first appearance for the senior squad he makes a short speech at the post-match banquet. Christoph Kramer slightly modified the tradition by singing in front of his teammates in Brazil.
Brazil is now in the past and there is still debate as to whether Kramer actually made a speech. Normally DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach invites the debutants to say a few words. The players answer the call and after a few words receive a hearty round of applause from their teammates.
Great ending to a fantastic year
A similar scenario played out after the final match of 2014. The World Champions beat the previous holders of the honour 1-0 on 18th November, thanks to Toni Kroos’ goal in Vigo. Victory over Spain was the icing on the cake. There was a great sense of satisfaction throughout the dining room at the team hotel. The atmosphere was good and a reflective mood was felt by many. Niersbach thanked the coaches, the players and the backroom staff on behalf of the DFB for such a historic year. The players then received their medals for taking part in the game – the association awards them after each game as a memento of the occasion.
He then invited the players to make their speeches: Jonas Hector made his Germany debut a few days previously against Gibraltar so made his speech after the Spain game. Hector spoke about the honour of being in the team, the fact that he enjoyed his time with the squad and his hopes to return again soon. Hector wasn’t the only player to make a speech that evening. Hoffenheim’s Kevin Volland made his debut in May against Poland in Hamburg but didn’t have the opportunity to maintain the tradition. The third speech was made by Max Kruse. Lukas Podolski also took to the stand alongside Niersbach to say a few words.
Thomas Schneider then took to the podium. The new assistant coach waited until the final game of the year to make his speech – words came easier to him then than after the defeat in Poland and draw against Ireland. “I’m grateful for how easy you have made it for me to settle in and the great atmosphere in the team,” said Schneider: “I have felt part of the team from the second I arrived. You certainly can’t take that for granted – after all I have become part of a team that became World Champions without me. Thank you for everything so far. It’s been fun to be part of this team.”
Hector, Volland, Kruse, Schneider – three players and a coach who could have been at the World Cup but weren’t selected. They are four examples of a changing national team. It’s not just the retirements of Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker which have prompted change. Other factors, such as injuries to Mesut Özil and new captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and losses of form, have resulted in new players coming through. “My decisions are made based on current form and not on memories of the summer,” said Löw. “It’s important that we look to the future. Our thought must be focussed on what we can improve. We need to keep progressing and make a few changes.”
World Champions - what next? 2014 was dominated by World Cup success in Brazil. Germany’s national team excited football fans across the globe. They now want to start an era of dominance and achieve more success. In order to do this the team must develop – New players, new ideas and solutions for the upcoming challenges. 2014 was a triumphant year, 2015 will hopefully lay the foundations for further success.
After the game is before the game, after the game is also before the speech. A nice traditional has emerged in the national team – after a player makes his first appearance for the senior squad he makes a short speech at the post-match banquet. Christoph Kramer slightly modified the tradition by singing in front of his teammates in Brazil.
Brazil is now in the past and there is still debate as to whether Kramer actually made a speech. Normally DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach invites the debutants to say a few words. The players answer the call and after a few words receive a hearty round of applause from their teammates.
Great ending to a fantastic year
A similar scenario played out after the final match of 2014. The World Champions beat the previous holders of the honour 1-0 on 18th November, thanks to Toni Kroos’ goal in Vigo. Victory over Spain was the icing on the cake. There was a great sense of satisfaction throughout the dining room at the team hotel. The atmosphere was good and a reflective mood was felt by many. Niersbach thanked the coaches, the players and the backroom staff on behalf of the DFB for such a historic year. The players then received their medals for taking part in the game – the association awards them after each game as a memento of the occasion.
He then invited the players to make their speeches: Jonas Hector made his Germany debut a few days previously against Gibraltar so made his speech after the Spain game. Hector spoke about the honour of being in the team, the fact that he enjoyed his time with the squad and his hopes to return again soon. Hector wasn’t the only player to make a speech that evening. Hoffenheim’s Kevin Volland made his debut in May against Poland in Hamburg but didn’t have the opportunity to maintain the tradition. The third speech was made by Max Kruse. Lukas Podolski also took to the stand alongside Niersbach to say a few words.
Thomas Schneider then took to the podium. The new assistant coach waited until the final game of the year to make his speech – words came easier to him then than after the defeat in Poland and draw against Ireland. “I’m grateful for how easy you have made it for me to settle in and the great atmosphere in the team,” said Schneider: “I have felt part of the team from the second I arrived. You certainly can’t take that for granted – after all I have become part of a team that became World Champions without me. Thank you for everything so far. It’s been fun to be part of this team.”
Hector, Volland, Kruse, Schneider – three players and a coach who could have been at the World Cup but weren’t selected. They are four examples of a changing national team. It’s not just the retirements of Philipp Lahm, Miroslav Klose and Per Mertesacker which have prompted change. Other factors, such as injuries to Mesut Özil and new captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and losses of form, have resulted in new players coming through. “My decisions are made based on current form and not on memories of the summer,” said Löw. “It’s important that we look to the future. Our thought must be focussed on what we can improve. We need to keep progressing and make a few changes.”
As well as looking back at the most successful year in their history, the DFB are focussing on the upcoming challenges. Joachim Löw and his side can’t let lose sight of future challenges by focussing on the past. After the World Cup success, qualifying for the European Championship started: A defeat against Poland and a draw with Ireland weren’t results expected of the World Champions.
After the victory in Brazil everyone wanted a piece of the action and to celebrate with the World Champions. It may have been a successful tournament, but it was also stressful and intense. Celebrations in various guises continued throughout the year and culminated in November in Berlin. Days after the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall was celebrated, the national team celebrated their success in the city as well as attending the premiere of the celebratory film “Die Mannschaft.”
Silver laurel leaf and film premiere
The celebrations in Berlin were special for everyone associated with the World Cup squad. The day started with a ceremony at Bellevue Castle. The President of Germany bestowed the “Silver Laurel Leaf” (the highest sport award in Germany) to the players and staff. Joachim Gauck’s speech was like a history of German football. He started by talking about the “Miracle of Bern.” “I was 14-years-old when Germany first won the World Cup. It was a great feeling. Even though Germany was split at the time people in East Germany said that they were supporters of the World Champions.”
Gauck then went on to speak about the current team: “As for 2014. It was a marvellous triumph; the performances were incredible, which was also recognised by the opponents. The team were fantastic on all levels – personal, humanitarian and sporting. I would like to thank you on behalf of Germany. It’s not just the players, coaches, support staff and the associations that are World Champions – everyone in Germany feels part of the success.”
The honours and film premiere signalled the end of the World Cup – the future is now under way. A young Germany squad came out on top against Spain in a rainy Vigo. “We were outstanding. In the first half we were compact and defended strongly; after the break we began to play football,” said Sami Khedira. “Winning on Spanish soil caps a remarkable year for us.”
Germany are World Champions but want more
Although Spain may no longer be as dominant as they were, Löw still sees them as role models: “Spain won three titles in a row and had their own era. We haven’t managed to do that yet.” The use of the world “yet” shows that there is plenty of ambition to do so. Germany are the World Champions. Germany wants more and to write a new chapter in the history of football. “The aim is to remain successful in order to show that it wasn’t a fluke,” said Löw. “The team has potential. They can still develop. We would like to be at our peak going into the 2016 European Championship.That is what we’re working towards.”
2015 will see Germany further develop as a team, qualification for the European Championships should be secured and new goals will be quickly set. The team may need to be a bit more adaptable in terms of players and tactics: a variety of options in order to be more flexible. It’s almost certain that Löw will give chances to new players, meaning more speeches will be made at the banquets.
