When Germany lost against Italy at extra time in the semifinals of 2006, all the home supporters felt that a perfect opportunity to win the tournament had gone away. Certainly, with a squad integrated by players such as Klose, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Frings, Ballack, and Lahm and with the obvious advantage of playing at home, they were among the favourites to lift the cup.
Eventually, they finished in the third position and Klinsmann left his spot for Joachim Low, who had been his assistant during the world cup. Thus, the new manager led Germany through a final in 2008, where they lost against the arguably best Spanish national team ever, with Silva, Iniesta, Xavi, and Senna showing across Europe the most dynamic Tiki-Taka.
Since then, Low has been wanting to create a similar team than the one managed by Luis Aragonés. In spite of this, Ozil replaced Ballack, who was injured in 2010 and never returned to another international tournament. Moreover, Schweinsteiger established himself as one of the best midfielders, instead of playing in the right. But though they beat England and Argentina in an outstanding way, Spain again destroyed their hopes in the semifinals of 2010.
So did the Italy of Pirlo in 2012, and apparently, the fury was raising among the German supporters over their national team. Although the football was being obviously entertaining to watch with the possession style and quickness when attacking, the lack of titles was weighing too much on Low's shoulders.
Brazil 1-7 Germany
Nevertheless, the coach was still loyal to his idea of playing bravely with the team pressing on when losing the ball. And then, Germany started the World Cup in 2014 beating Portugal by 4-0 and showing themselves as a true contender for the eventual triumph.
Thus, they reached the semifinals but without another stellar performance as at the first match, and besides, they suffered excessively against Algeria or Ghana, for which Low's team was highly criticised in his country.
And then, Brazil was the rival in semifinals, the same team that beat them in the final of 2002. But this time, Germany played one of their greatest matches ever remembered, and in the first half an hour, they were already winning by 0-5. The whole team was moving the ball fast and with quality, with Kross, Schweinsteiger, and Khedira being essentials in pressuring the rivals and keeping the ball.
The born winners
After their exhibition against the hosts, they were the clear favourites against Argentina, who had struggled in the whole tournament, even though they had had an easier path to the final.
However, La Albiceleste created better opportunities for the first 90 minutes, when especially Higuain missed out when he was completely alone against Neuer.
Argentina showed signs of fatigue in the extra-time, and Germany won thanks to a play initiated for Schurrle and culminated by Gotze, both of them coming from the bench.
Afterwards, iconic players such as Lahm and Klose left the team, and after the Eurocup of 2016, also Schweinsteiger followed them. And yet, the team has found decent substitutes in Kimmich, Wallner, Goretzka or Gundogan.
Furthermore, they carried on through to the semifinals in 2016 and won the Confederations Cup in 2017, meaning that, since 2006, they have reached at least the semifinals in all the tournaments, a record without precedents. And all of that, thanks to Low and his stubbornly great idea of football.
