Coach: Joachim Low Achievements: World Cup 2014 Key Players: Neuer, Lahm, Hummels, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Kroos, Muller, Klose Star Player: Neuer, Muller Formation: 4-2-3-1
When Germany won the 2014 World Cup it marked the culmination of process that was over 10 years in the making. Poor performance in Euro 2000, followed by a 5-1 home defeat to old enemy England in a World Cup qualifier the following year, dramatically signalled how far this football giant had fallen. A place in the final of the 2002 World Cup said more about the quality of that year's tournament rather than the quality of Germany's average team.
So, a football revolution was launched. Things were done properly and holsitically, with major changes to the youth development system, the domestic game and the running of the national team. Signs of change were first seen in the 2006 World Cup, which Germany hosted. The long process they were on meant that this was too soon to expect to win the trophy but a new, young team, managed by legend Klinsmann, played fast, exciting, attacking football. Joachim Low, Klinsmann's number 2, picked up the reins after this tournament and continued the same pattern.
The approach finally bore fruit in 2014, once Spain's era of dominance ended. Germany became the first non-South American team to win a World Cup in the Americas. They did it the hard way too, and with a similar holistic and far-sighted approach. Not only did they build their own training base but they created a whole new resort village: the Campo Bahia. They then had to travel the length and breadth of the country: with three games in the tropical north before group games in the cooler south of the country. The draw then pitted them against strong sides in France, Brazil and Argentina. Of course it was the 7-1 demolition of the hosts that is the most memorable. After scoring an incredible four goals in five minutes in the first half, with typical German mentality they didn't take their foot off the gas to spare the host's embarrassment. When they picked up the trophy though, no one could doubt they were worthy winners.
By 2014 the new system had paid full dividends and there was quality throughout the team. Neuer at this point is the best goalkeeper in the world, and acted as an adventurous sweeper-keeper. Hummels played a key role, especially against France in the semi-final. Lahm continued to be probably the best full-back in the world, although he was less assured in midfield. Other players such as Shweinstieger, Muller and Klose were by now well established and joined by new stars such as Kroos. The team shown above is the optimal team, which emerged during the tournament. They improved once Lahm moved back to defence and Metresacker was dropped. The team also played better with Klose acting as a focal point rather than Muller acting as a false nine. Klose would take the World Cup's leading goalscorer award during the tournament. There are also many quality German players that did not play, notably Borussia Dortmund's Lars Bender, Marco Reus and Ilkay Gundogan. With many of the core players now ageing (Lahm has already retired from international football) it remains to be seen whether success will continue with a new generation.