German fighting ability has vanished, former soccer greats say

German fighting ability has vanished, former soccer greats say
ASSOCIATED PRESS

FEBRUARY 27: Germany's National team may lack the talent of past squads, but now the country also faces a problem unthinkable while it was rolling to three World Cup titles.

It's once-feared fighting ability, which tormented countries with more gifted players, has vanished.

At least that was the opinion of several former greats, who watched in alarm as the reigning European champions were outclassed and outhustled by Holland in a 2-1 loss on Wednesday. The match was an important tune-up for the European championships starting on June 12.

``What made me worry is that Holland was in superior condition,'' said Matthias Sammer, Europe's 1996 Player-of-the Year. ``Our problems aren't just our lack of playing ability or tactical skills, but also in our once pronounced German virtues like will power and fighting ability.''

Former National team star Bernd Schuster, along with 1974 World Cup winners Guenther Netzer and Wolfgang Overath, also blasted the current team after the Holland match.

They questioned the country's chances of defending the European title and even its ability to hang on to its already slipping reputation as a soccer superpower. ``We've lived too long in the past, and finally have to admit that other nations have left us behind with their playing skills,'' said Netzer.

``Before this match, I felt good about the Euro,'' said Sammer. ``I thought that if physical conditioning, team spirit, will power and a good start come together, anything is possible. Now I'm more skeptical.''

What worried the former stars was the German teams, while never having dazzling playing skills, were able to mercilessly exploit other advantage like team discipline and superior physical conditioning to grind out victories. Their tenaciouness and never-say-die spirit helped fuel some legendary comeback victories.

But nowadays, they find themselves being outhustled by other teams who are tactically superior while their own supply of talent seems to be drying up. ``Edgar Davids and Clarence Seedorf almost played German,'' said Sammer of the way the two Dutch stars outhustled and outfought their German counterparts.

``We have too many fighters and not enough creative players on our team,'' said Overath. ``But even the fighters may be lacking in the right attitude and the willingness to run for their teammates.''

The Germans, by all accounts, are searching for a fiery leader, a player like Franz Beckenbauer, Sammer or the young Lothar Mattheus, who lead a charge and turn around a match even when the team appears hopelessly outplayed.

There were few hopes for the current crop of German players except for 20-year-old Sebastian Deisler. Already a top Bundesliga player for Hertha Berlin, the midfielder turned in a respectable National team debut.

He may have stood out because his experienced teammates looked so dismal against the Dutch players, and he's a long way from running the National team, but Deisler does appear fearless and is gifted with the ball.

``I haven't given up hope, but I hope that Deisler stays free of injuries,'' said Sammer.

Jens Jeremies, Bayern Munich's 25-year-old hard-nosed midfielder, and 23-year-old Lars Ricken of Borussia Dortmund also were considered hopes for the Germans in the future.

``The rest of the players out there can't shape our play,'' said Schuster.