Germany

By Richard Pedler

JAKARTA (JP): The West German team has been subject to pressure and stress ever since its 1954 defeat of favorites Hungary against all odds. The Bundesliga professional league was created in 1963, and the full-time pros soon became world beaters.

But Germany since reunification has not become invincible, as outgoing coach Beckenbauer predicted after Italia '90.

With the best World Cup final record of any country: three times winners, three times runners-up, as well as four European Championship finals (twice winners), the burden on coach Berti Vogts is tremendous following failure in Sweden '92, when deprived of Lothar Matthaus. All of Vogts' predecessors have conquered Europe, the world, or both.

The united Germany has adapted to the aging, slowing Matthaus by playing him deeper, in the role Beckenbauer developed at club and national level, as libero. Another veteran, Brehme, has surprisingly returned to top form as left wing back, despite the challenge from young superstar Christian Ziege. Little has changed, Germany are favorites again.

Pace and width

But there are weaknesses in the mean machine, as Holland demonstrated at the European Championships. They defeated the united Germany 3-1 thanks to master tactician Rinus Michels. He pushed his wide players up and thus pinned back the German midfielders, using Gullit wide on the right, Roy on the left, and twin strikers Van Basten and Bergkamp up the middle.

In the same tournament's semifinal defeat by Denmark, they were undone by fast counterattacking, primarily by Brian Laudrup. Playing against Germany's midfield might and striking power (Moller, Klinsmann, Riedle), perhaps the best way is over-the- top, bypassing midfield and relying on speed out wide to outpace Brehme and Schulz. Alternatively, blocking out Matthaus and Moller, the two anchors of the team, would accomplish the same, but not an easy task to undertake.

Man from deep

Andreas Moller is the most productive and in-form striker. Playing deep behind the front two, his speed is exceptional and he is difficult to pick up. Coach Vogts explains: "The forwards have to get used to Moller's new role," and opposing defenders should also be aware of German strikers' tendencies to fall dramatically around the penalty box.

In an easy group, the German team, traditionally slow starters, will not be challenged until the knockout stage. Vogts concludes, "We shall be very difficult to beat...if we concentrate on playing football...we remain among the leading 5 nations, but we know we must improve." The team to beat once again, and at odds of 3-1, the favorites.