Condemned to win

Thomas Müller's done it. So has Philipp Lahm. Miroslav Klose, too. And Sami Khedira. Ditto for Manuel Neuer. And the German trainer? Of course, him as well. All of them have said they want the title. "Now" - "Absolutely" - "With everything we've got" - "At last!" The German national football team members are seldom as united in their statements as they are at present, in the run-up to the World Cup final.

In Germany and Argentina, two heavyweights of international football have come together and the German Football Association (DFB) is leaving no room for misunderstanding when stating its goal. After 24 years of waiting, the World Cup title must be Germany's once more. No ifs, ands or buts. The goal is within reach, only one opposing team stands in their way: It can't stop them now ... or can it?

Putting everything on the line

Of course it can. This, after all, is Argentina. The Albiceleste boast a brilliant offensive lineup in Messi, Higuain and co.; its defense is stronger than it's been for years. Argentina's tactical discipline could certainly prove a stumbling block for the highly acclaimed German eleven. Suppressing this knowledge and speaking only of winning the title is a risky game. It could spoil the team's great achievements so far.

The more the players, the trainer and others involved talk about the World Cup trophy, the more the German fans want to see it in the hands of the cheering captain, Philipp Lahm. But what if Argentina, after just beating the Netherlands on penalties, should do the same with Germany? The disappointment would be huge, both among the team and back home in Germany. Many things would be automatically and immediately be called into question: the work of Joachim Löw, which would then, while certainly successful, still lack a title; the gifted but unfulfilled generation of players; perhaps even the good but not perfect overall conditions for organized football in Germany. All this is at stake. Because of one game. And because of a big promise.

The national team has promised to deliver - not to be satisfied with anything less than the title. Miroslav Klose even said he couldn't enjoy his World Cup goal-scoring record if it weren't capped with victory in the final. The aspirations could not be higher. In communications terms, it's a dance on a knife-edge.

Self-confidence: a precious commodity

Yet it can't be any other way. The German team must set itself the ultimate goal and keep pursuing it with this impressive self-assurance! Confidence has always been the most important qualification for competitive sport, far more significant than solid ball passing or good ball control. The German eleven are allowed to, and should, believe in themselves and not relinquish that hard-won sense that they can achieve anything, beat anyone. Even if this means that, should they lose, the blow will be even harder to take. Right now, victory is all that matters!