When the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ kicks off in just a few days’ time, the reigning champions will understandably be the focus of special attention. Can Germany become the first team to defend their FIFA World Cup crown since Brazil’s back-to-back triumphs in 1958 and 1962 and earn the right to stitch a fifth star on their shirts?
There is still plenty of optimism about their prospects despite the fact that they are without a win in five games. “We are always up there with the biggest teams,” 1990 world champion Thomas Berthold told FIFA.com. “When you look back through the history of the World Cup, three nations – Brazil, Italy and us – have won 13 titles between them. I don’t think any other team has reached the semi-finals as often as Germany. And whenever you reach the last four, there are many factors that you can’t account for, particularly when you go toe-to-toe with other top sides.”
Despite Germany’s impressive record, Berthold was quick to sound a note of caution. “We are not the clear favourites. France, Brazil and Spain are all ahead of us and Argentina are more or less the dark horses of the tournament.”