It’s Germany vs France!

Then Brazil vs Colombia!

After three days that seemed like eternity, the World Cup is back on track.

Today, Germany takes on France in the only battle of the q-finals that collides World Cup heavy weights, both being World Champions at different occasions.

This is a match that, for once, will see reversal in traditions. The Germans used to present teams built on un-catchable athleticism and excellently oiled by never-say die spirit that always pushed the machines over the line. In contrast, the French have always relied on excellent techniques and flair that always ended them as nearly men. The 1998 squad took an exception by mixing both brain and brawl to glory.

Today, when the two teams take to the pitch, you will witness a German team that is a huge departure from the usually physical unit. Instead the likes of Mesut Ozil, Per Mertesacker, Philip Lahm, Thomas Mueller, Lukas Podolski, Mario Gotze would be showcasing exquisite techniques spread along flair and entertainment never known to come from that part of the globe. Perhaps, only Jerome Boateng, Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger still embody the iron-clad physically exhibited by the German machines. But take nothing away, football is the huge benefactors of these brand of personnel seeking to earn dear country a fourth berth on the king’s shores.

The Germans have evolved a perfect blend of Samba and tiki-taka to invent a style that has yet attracted a definite nomenclature from pundits. Maybe we are all waiting for the Germans to conquer the world first before affixing a befitting name to this brand that totally keeps the ball from the opposition, passing precisely and waiting patiently before evading enemy territory. In Ozil, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, the German enjoy a group of personnel that can pass you to death while Mueller represents that set of point men that you hardly notice until the damage is done.

France, on the contrary, will be parading a team more or less in similar mold to the Germans of old. In Paul Pogba,  Blaise Matuidi (remember him?), Laurent Kolscieny, Patrice Evra, Mohammed Sakho, Bacary Sagna, Olivier Giroud, Karim Benzema, the French team base their play on extreme physicality. The French players hardly come second bests in 50-50 challenges. But the Blues are not just brawl. In the afore-mentioned personnel, they have enough technique and brain to hurt any side remaining in Brazil. In Benzema they have a point man, who shares same pedigree with Robin Van Persie as most dangerous predators prowling in the Samba nation.

The match-up of these two sides will be interesting to see. Will the French beat the Germans to their own game or will the Germans combine the new-found flair with their inherited steel to ride over their opponents to the last four?

My money is on Germany to get the job done. It may again get to extra time but no matter the ability of any German side, playing in the semi-finals seems their birth right.

Their sojourn in Brazil doesn’t appear it will be an exception. Besides, this is a good German side, very good.