Germany ‘should’ win the World Cup, pundits say

Football commentator George Micallef believes that Argentina will win the World Cup final this evening, despite the fact that the Germans are, in his eyes, the “hot favourites”.

“My mind says Germany but I have a feeling that Argentina will come through victorious,” Micallef told MaltaToday. “The Germans are hot favourites and form would suggest that they have the edge but a final is not your typical match. Form doesn’t quite come into the equation.”

The World Cup reaches its eagerly-anticipated climax this evening as Germany and Argentina do battle at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A win for the Germans will see them win their fourth World Cup trophy – albeit two as West Germany – putting them level with Italy and only one behind record-holders Brazil. The July 13th showdown will also be Germany’s eighth world cup final appearance, making it the first team to achieve that.

On the other hand, an Argentina victory will give them their third triumph, and put them level with their Sunday opponents, after having been victorious at the 1978 and 1986 World Cups. It will be their fifth appearance in the final after finishing runners-up in 1930 and 1990 – having lost the latter to the Germans.

In fact, Germany and Argentina have previously faced each other in both the Mexico 1986 and Italia 1990 finals with the Albiceleste coming out victorious in the first meeting and Germany getting revenge four years later in the Eternal City.

“This really could be Messi’s special day,” Micallef said. “And the fact that the tournament is being played in South America could very well play into the Argentines’ hands.”

Whatever the result, Micallef believes that the World Cup will be remembered for all the right reasons. “There has been some very, very good football on show and the tournament has supplied us with plenty of goals. Also, there hasn’t really been a team which has stood out, with many games being very balanced,” he said.

But Micallef stands alone in his prediction, with three other prominent sports journalists opting for Germany. Rodney Vassallo, a familiar face throughout the past month as co-host of TVM’s World Cup coverage, believes that the “more disciplined” Germany will prove too strong for the Albiceleste. “Both sides have shown continuity and consistency,” he said. “And while it will be strange to see Argentina lifting the cup in the back yard of their biggest rivals, it is still very much a possibility. However, I believe that Germany are a more disciplined side and are strong in every department.”

Rodney Vassallo, co-host of TVM's coverage of the World Cup.

Given the choice, Vassallo said that Colombia and France were the teams that impressed him the most. “Before the tournament, no one gave the South Americans a chance, especially without their star player, Radamel Falcao,” he said. “But with players like Yepes and Zapata at the back, and Juan Cuadrado, Jackson Martinez and, especially, James Rodriguez upfront, they played some of the best football in this World Cup.

“I was surprised with France’s comeback after failing heavily four years ago in South Africa,” he said. “All in all, they had a good tournament, considering the fact that they had two key players missing, with Samir Nasri controversially left out of the squad, and Frank Ribery suffering an injury a few days before the competition kicked off.”

A win for Argentina tonight will see Lionel Messi add yet another honour to his trophy cabinet, and arguably the most valuable of all. Vassallo believes that this will surely serve as an added incentive for the little Argentine but warned that Germany’s defence will be up for the challenge.” He will definitely be doing his best to help his country become World Champions after 28 years,” he said. “He has won everything domestically with Barcelona, and will definitely be up for the challenge at the Maracana on Sunday.”

One sports enthusiast who did not quite agree was Simon Farrugia. “Lionel Messi is a great player, he’s one of the best players in the world and one of the best of all time,” Farrugia said. “But personally, Pele and Diego Maradona have reached heights that Messi is still far from reaching.”

Farrugia believes the final will be a tight affair but believes Germany will eventually come out on top. “On current form it must be Germany. They’ve been consistent throughout the tournament, reaching their peak in the now-famous semi-final win against Brazil,” he said. “On the other hand, Argentina are a hard nut to crack and have conceded just three goals in the process, all in the group stage.”

“It will be a tight match with Germany looking to break another record, that of becoming the first European team to win the World Cup in South America. In the circumstances I go for Germany.”

Describing this World Cup as “colourful in all aspects”, Farrugia paid tribute to the organisation of the event, and was glad to see that stadia attendances were very good. “As regards performances, compared to previous editions, the number of goals scored speaks volumes,” he said. “In fact, we are only just a few goals away from the record. However, I think that football has changed drastically from the editions of the 70's and 80's. We are watching more tactical football and, now more than ever, coaches are making all the difference.”

Meanwhile, Christian Micallef, George’s brother, felt that the World Cup was the best one he has seen. “The first World Cup I remember was the 1990 one and, while that was a very good one, I think this has surpassed it,” he said. “It will also be remembered as being the first for many things – goal-line technology, the cooling periods and the referee’s free-kick spray.”

“I, too, was impressed with the intelligent tactics used by several coaches. Coaches are not what they used to be – they’ve developed to tremendous levels. We are now seeing a much higher level of coaching.”

Micallef most enjoyed watching Algeria at the World Cup. “They really were a nation of example at these finals and they’ve made enormous progress,” he said. “They were so impressive in the Round of 16 tie against Germany… I thought they were so unlucky to get knocked out!”

Whilst he doesn’t expect the most open of games, Micallef expressed his belief that Germany will be crowned champions. “I think that the Germans, being such an organised collective unit, will win as they are not reliant on one player like Argentina seem to be,” he said.

Asked which player impressed them the most throughout the tournament, James Rodriguez of Colombia came out on top. “It has to be James Rodriguez,” Rodney Vassallo said. “He’s shown his real talent during this World Cup, not just for scoring six times, but his ability and technique were instrumental for his side. I have to mention also German players Philippe Lahm and Toni Kroos, two players who were crucial in every game Germany played so far, before reaching the final.”

“James Rodriguez,” Christian Micallef said. “Mainly because he was relatively unheard of. I myself knew about him but surely no one expected him to reach the levels that he did. In fact, Colombia’s success was largely down to the great performances he put in, especially in the absence of Falcao.”

George Micallef also picked Rodriguez as one of his top three performers at the World Cup, alongside Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben of the Netherlands. In fact, the latter was Simon Farrugia’s pick.” Undoubtedly Arjen Robben. He is a phenomenal player. At 30 years of age he was outstanding during these finals… consistent all throughout and a joy to watch.”