German World Cup-Aus: A tournament of missed opportunities

After winning the title in 2014, the German football star shone. Now, eight years later, the DFB is in a shambles. It wasn’t just on the pitch that a number of opportunities were missed in Qatar.

Instead of a world title, off to the airport early. The German team, once feared as a tournament team, is quietly packing its bags. prelim. It’s happened again, like in 2018, when soccer giants Mexico and South Korea were just too strong.

And now: the next total disgrace. How are those interested in football, the fans? does it all hurt I rather not. The emotional distance to this Qatar World Cup and also to the German national team is enormous.

Of course I would have wished for another duel with Messi and the Argentines later on. Or a clash with Brazil and Neymar. But in the concert of the big ones, the DFB selection would probably only be a nuisance. It just doesn’t belong there at the moment.

DFB image has rushed into the basement

What sticks now of Qatar 2022? Nothing sustainable. The sporting performance was a disaster. And the buckling of the DFB in front of FIFA in the one love binding drama was more than sad. This tournament was one of the missed opportunities and one of the missed grand gestures.

The image of our national team, which was still high in the air after winning the title in 2014, has meanwhile plummeted. If we ask ourselves in 10 to 20 years: How was this World Cup in Qatar from a German point of view? Then the gesture of the German players before the Japan game would fit: just put your hand in front of your mouth.