By Barry Whelan Jun 21, 2006, 16:13 GMT
Berlin - Everything is going to plan for Germany.
Michael Ballack (L) of Germany vies with Edwin Tenorio of Ecuador during the group A preliminary match of 2006 FIFA World Cup Ecuador vs Germany at the Olympic stadium in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, 20 June 2006. EPA/OLIVER BERG
The hosts have won their first three World Cup games, factories are working overtime to meet the demand for German flags, the ARD public television channel reports record viewing figures for German matches, Chancellor Angela Merkel has been outed as an avid football fan and even the 'kaiser' has turned into a believer.
Yes, said Franz Beckenbauer, president of the World Cup organizing committee, something is indeed stirring in the Germany team under coach Juergen Klinsmann. The hope is growing that Germany could actually become world champions on their own soil.
'Yes, who would have seriously thought it two weeks ago,' he wrote in the mass-circulation Bild newspaper. 'After the three victories I can say: we don't really have to fear anyone, really no one. Juergen and his boys - we have faith in you.'
What a turnaround for 41-year-old Klinsmann, highly criticised along with his team just a short time ago and not given much of a chance in their 'own' tournament. Klinsmann, lambasted by Bild for living in California and various other misdemeanours, who is now lovingly described by the same newspaper as 'our Klinsi' as the team goes from one ecstatic moment to the next.
It's already the best start at a World Cup for a German side since the 1970 tournament in Mexico. Beckenbauer was a key figure in that West Germany team which went on to knock out title-holders England after extra-time before being eliminated in a 4-3 extra-time thriller to Italy in the semi-finals. In that match Beckenbauer had to play manfully on with his arm strapped - such is the stuff of legends.
Klinsmann's team could create its own legends here if the team goes as far - or can repeat the feat of the Beckenbauer-captained team which won the World Cup in 1974 by beating Holland in the final in Munich.
Opinion polls before the 2006 tournament showed that few Germans expected a place in the quarter-finals, let alone the semi-finals. After all Germany has not beaten one of the major football powers for nearly five years. Now, it seems, anything is possible and everybody is a national team fan.
'We are happy for the German people that there is a new identification with the national team,' Klinsmann said Wednesday.
'It was one of our goals to convince people that here was a team that would give its best and is able to compete with the best in the world. Right now this is happening.'
Right now, he intoned, is 'a moment to enjoy', but - in a word of warning - 'the real tournament begins now with the knock-out stage'.
The real tournament could be over for Germany as soon as Saturday. Who knows after nearly two World Cup weeks how good the side really is? Were Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador any tests? Next stop Sweden are, it is generally agreed, a much tougher obstacle.
What will happen if Germany go out to Sweden - a good team but not classed among the likes of Brazil, Argentina, Italy and others?
What will happen to Klinsmann whose future depends on how his side progresses?
Will the flags continue to fly or will the euphoria turn to collective gloom as the coach goes home to California for good?
The questions will be answered on Saturday in Munich. It promises to be an emotional occasion. Surely Germany can't lose now, can they?
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