Right, I think it's time to out myself.
As a child, I loved West Germany, thanks initially to Schuster in Euro '80 (though I can't remember anything he did, I recall the impression he made), then Rummenigge, Breitner and Littbarski. I didn't give a toss about their unsavoury antics in the 1982 World Cup, because love is blind. I supported them in '86, even though I loved Maradona too, and I cheered for them in the 1990 semi, when even my fanatically anti-patriotic dad was urging England on.
Thereafter my love faded; dislikeable individuals were nothing new, but the team through the '90s and most of the '00s was damned dull to watch, while reunification saw the country lose its romantic Cold War feel. I discreetly fed on footage and articles of the early '70s side while cheering variously for Scotland, England, Turkey, Bulgaria and Argentina among others.
But then came the new Germany. The delicious, swashbuckling team of Muller, Ozil and Schweinsteiger, not to mention sweet little Podolski. They are fab again, I have a national team I can properly support again and I can't wait to see them take the stage this summer.
So, this is the thread for those of us who truly appreciate the delights of the Nationalmannschaft. Here they are warming up for the second of their three Euro triumphs.
As a child, I loved West Germany, thanks initially to Schuster in Euro '80 (though I can't remember anything he did, I recall the impression he made), then Rummenigge, Breitner and Littbarski. I didn't give a toss about their unsavoury antics in the 1982 World Cup, because love is blind. I supported them in '86, even though I loved Maradona too, and I cheered for them in the 1990 semi, when even my fanatically anti-patriotic dad was urging England on.
Thereafter my love faded; dislikeable individuals were nothing new, but the team through the '90s and most of the '00s was damned dull to watch, while reunification saw the country lose its romantic Cold War feel. I discreetly fed on footage and articles of the early '70s side while cheering variously for Scotland, England, Turkey, Bulgaria and Argentina among others.
But then came the new Germany. The delicious, swashbuckling team of Muller, Ozil and Schweinsteiger, not to mention sweet little Podolski. They are fab again, I have a national team I can properly support again and I can't wait to see them take the stage this summer.
So, this is the thread for those of us who truly appreciate the delights of the Nationalmannschaft. Here they are warming up for the second of their three Euro triumphs.
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