Klinsmann has brought a great amount of respectability to German soccer and Der Kaiser wants him to keep coaching the Mannschaft. The World Cup has gone off well without any of the hooliganism, racism, or terrorism that many were fearing would happen. Even the referees seem to have settled down and let the players play. The German establishment has foregone the customary scheudenfreude and has praised the German squad while complimenting the Azzurris. There seems to be a new found love for our country.
“Unlucky lads! You battled like world champions. Germany’s dream of winning
the World Cup has been shattered. It would have been brilliant, but now we’
ll take third place on Saturday, and none of us is complaining. We say this
to Klinsi and all his lads: Thanks for a fantastic World Cup. We’re weeping
with you! Over the last few weeks, the Germans have rediscovered a love for
their country and for their football team, and that’s here to stay. The
ruthless Italians were just a fraction stronger in a fantastic, intense,
top-class match. Chin up, lads! Italy were (still) just too good for us.”
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“Italy sealed a not undeserved place in the Final thanks to goals in the
119th and 121st minutes. Unlucky Germany showed outstanding bravery, but
were ultimately forced to concede defeat to the ruthless and clinical
Azzurri.” Kicker
“The dream lies in tatters! But chin up, and no moaning. We’ve lost the
semi-final by the narrowest of margins, but we won’t be downhearted. We are
Germany, and we’re the moral world champions!” Express
“Our wonderful odyssey to the stars is over, ended by a clean, down-to-earth
shot by Fabio Grosso to put Italy 1-0 up in the 119th minute of the World
Cup semi-final. Did anyone notice the second goal after that? The path
leading to this bitter end, on the 52nd anniversary of the ‘Miracle of
Bern’, was long and hard, and the German players used up all the luck set
aside for them in this and indeed in the next life.” Suddeutsche Zeitung
“An abrupt end to a glorious journey: even on returning to their team base
in Berlin, the German players’ faces were still wet with tears.” Frankfurter
Allgemeine Zeitung
“Following the second goal, the final knock-out blow after 120 absorbing and
dramatic minutes, most of the German players sank to the turf and wept like
children. It was left to the fans, outstanding yet again, to put their
devastation to one side and console the team with chants of “Deutschland”
and standing ovations. Moving scenes followed, the crowd rising as one to
sing “You’ll never walk alone” as the players thanked them for their support
throughout the tournament. The refreshing and attractive style introduced by
Klinsmann represents a major step forward for German football, but that was
no consolation to anyone on a night filled with tears.” Sport1.de