Hamann picks his country Germany to lift World Cup

No european nation has ever won the World Cup when the tournament was held in South America.

However, Dietmar Hamann believes his country, Germany, can achieve what has been an impossible feat so far.

The former international midfielder believes that the flair of the current crop of German players, combined with traditional traits such as resilience and discipline, makes them his tip to lift the trophy in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium next July.

Hamann, who is in Singapore to meet fans at the Oktoberfest Asia beer festival, told The Straits Times yesterday: "If I were the manager of a fantasy team, I would pick many players from this Germany side.

"This is the strongest squad they have had for years. They can win the World Cup in Brazil."

Hamann had a successful club career with Bayern Munich, Newcastle and Liverpool. Known as a tactically disciplined defensive midfielder in his heyday, he was an integral member of Rudi Voeller's side that lost the 2002 final 0-2 to Brazil.

Then, Germany were full of graft and efficiency but short on flair, which was provided only by attacking midfielder Michael Ballack.

But the firepower available to current Germany coach Joachim Loew, from Mario Goetze to Mesut Oezil to Thomas Mueller, has made this team into a perfect blend of steel and skill.

Semi-finalists at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and Euro 2012 and - more painfully - second in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008, Germany have in recent years been in danger of becoming the sport's nearly men, who can never strike gold.

But Hamann has faith in Loew's team, saying: "They had four chances in the last four major tournaments but they just could not get over the finishing line. If they can get over this mental scar, they will come up good in Brazil.

"This team really remind me of (West Germany's) World Cup-winning side of 1990. They had workman-like players but also (creative) players like Thomas Hassler, Olaf Thon, Andreas Moeller and Lothar Matthaeus.

"This current team have got both types of players, the resolute type and those with skill and guile. This is what makes them so dangerous."

And if the fancy footwork fails in Brazil next year, there is always the good, old, never-say-die German mindset.

Hamann said: "All German players are brought up to be disciplined and to play for the team.

"If you play against Germany, you know you are in for a game."

meng@sph.com.sg

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