Kaiser hails the accidental heroes

Matt Lawton Friday, June 28, 2002

Beckenbauer: Seemingly not impressed by the tournament (Allsport)

For the adidas 'global PR' gurus who proved yesterday just how little they know about public relations, it was a resounding success. For the organisers of the next World Cup, however, it was something of an embarrassment. In a stage-managed Press conference dedicated to the announcement of the 10 players who had been short-listed for the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best individual, Franz Beckenbauer was asked to recall his 'most impressive moment' of the tournament.

His audience waited in eager anticipation. This, after all, has been an extraordinary month and one that has seen Kaiser Beckenbauer 's beloved Germany somehow rise from the ashes of last September's 5-1 defeat by England and reach Sunday 's final in Yokohama.

It had to be Michael Ballack's goal against South Korea or, perhaps, Rivaldo's wonderful finish in the quarter- final against England. 'The opening ceremony in Seoul,' replied the man who heads the 2006 World Cup organising committee. 'I thought the costumes were beautiful and the music spectacular.'

Football not much good then? Not seen anything in 62 games, many of which have been terrific, to catch the eye? Here's to 2006. A World Cup, hosted by the Germans, which we can now assume will match the Koreans for artistic interpretation. Thankfully, one of the most respected figures in the game had rather more to say about football once he had escaped the shackles of a podium that took not one question from the floor. There is nothing quite like a World Cup final for bringing out the best in the Germans and Beckenbauer demonstrated exactly that in his own inimitable style.

How, he was asked, had Rudi Voller's side bounced back so emphatically from that devastating setback against England? 'That,' said Beckenbauer, pausing for a moment, 'was an accident.' Few would argue that he has a point. Sven Goran Eriksson's side have never quite rediscovered the form of that balmy afternoon in Munich, even if a more pragmatic display against Argentina in Sapporo ran it close as England's finest performance on foreign soil.

What Beckenbauer revealed, however, was the reappearance of that arrogant streak which has so defined the great German teams of the past. They are in the final and they have, therefore, earned the right to reflect on the defeat against England as a freak result. 'This is a tournament and tournaments are very different to qualifying games,' he said. 'This is when things like mental strength become important - and Germany have shown they possess that.'

Not so long ago, Beckenbauer was taking a slightly different view of this current generation of German players. With the exception of Oliver Kahn, who continues to justify his reputation as the world's best goalkeeper, nobody really impressed Germany's former World Cup-winning skipper and coach. 'They have surprised me,' he admitted. 'They have shown they are good players and in that sense I think they have surprised everyone at home. Before the World Cup started I was a little sceptical about Germany's chances, but they have done very well, with the exception of the performance against the U.S.A, when they looked very shaky. They nevertheless deserve to be in the final. In six games they have won five and drawn one.'

Thanks to Kahn, says Beckenbauer. 'For me, he has been the most spectacular player in the competition,' he said. 'Without him, Germany would not have reached the final and it should make that game very exciting. Germany have the best defence and Brazil the best attack.'

Germany do indeed have an excellent defence with a record to match. In their six games here in the Far East they have conceded only one goal - and that came in the 92nd minute from the Republic of Ireland's Robbie Keane. Kahn has had a great deal to do with that. 'I have all due respect for Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, ' said the Bayern Munich goalkeeper. 'They're all fantastic players, but on Sunday they still have to beat me. I've got a feeling telling me that we will be world champions. I can't really explain why. Brazil are probably the best team in the world in terms of individual players. They have exceptional people in every position. But the team with the most gifted players does not always win.'

Lothar Matthaus might have been forced into retirement by his international colleagues, but his spirit is alive and well in this German team.