German panzer can be romantics, too
Anton, a 28-year-old security guard from Flores, knew it even before the start of the World Cup: The Germans would enter the final.
Because of their strategic and technical skills. Because of their discipline and their organized fighting strength.
And, of course, because of their iron will.
With these "typical German virtues" -- and Anton is firmly convinced about them -- the soccer team was destined to flatten everything that crosses its path, just through their strength and perseverance.
You know, like a tank, or panzer in German. Elegance or skill may be pretty, but they are secondary in securing a win.
Consequently, "Tim Panser" is the name Indonesians have given the German soccer team at the World Cup. For me, it's a not very flattering title or association, especially considering our rather checkered history.
As a German, one is tempted to scream to everybody on the street, who is kindly praising once again our discipline and strategy, that there exists another side to the "pragmatic" German mentality.
Hey, some of these panzers can actually be very sensitive and hopelessly romantic! And believe it or not, there are creative and artistic skills among the German people. But what use would it be.
It's the Germans themselves who have built their image.
"They refound their virtues at the right moment," wrote the German news magazine Spiegel about the semifinal win over South Korea. And the national daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung heralds the "comeback of German workmanship".
Who, after all, can blame the English Times for providing the backhanded compliment that the German team is like a "steam roller, who is impossible to be admired, but must be respected for its perseverance".
Probably we need the secure backing of these so-called virtues. If we don't, the others might suddenly recognize our weak self-confidence, reminding us of our fear that we really might suffer from a lack of fluid elegance and lively spontaneity.
Oops, here we go again, indulging in the next self-fulfilling cliche: Germans are very serious and thoughtful, so they always tend to doubt and reexamine everything.
Well, the Indonesians have it so much easier. They don't have to carry this burden of representing their nation at the World Cup. They can celebrate after each match -- independently and only led by personal sympathies for this or that team, whether it's because they like their style (Beckham and co.) or their legs (the men of Argentina).
For the Germans, of course, the situation is now much more difficult. They have to maintain their national prestige in front of the world. How annoying it would be to be called a "soccer dwarf" by the neighbors!
Therefore, it's safer to be mentally prepared in case of a loss. Instead of enthusiastically supporting their national team from the beginning of the World Cup like in every other country, the media, the officials, even the people in the pubs started listing former misfits of the German team, blaming the players for being too young and too inexperienced.
National coach Rudi Voeller announced before the start that entering the second round would already be a success. Everybody else said that reaching the semifinals would be a sensation.
Consequently, this young and inexperienced team upset all the dour predictions. But don't expect the Germans now to give in to unrestrained celebration! Don't let yourself be deceived by the pictures of the crowds on the streets: Up until the semifinals there have been more self-critics than anything else across the country, led by onetime star Franz Beckenbauer.
"It's typically German -- that we have to excuse ourselves for our step into the semifinals," newcomer Michael Ballack commented about this attitude a week ago.
But, Indonesian soccer fan Anton doesn't understand the use of this argument. For he knows that, wherever you find "Made in Germany" on the label, you get German quality inside -- durable, reliable and stubborn. Just try convincing a German.
-- Christina Schott