World Cup 2006: A Catalyst for Germany?
By Dr. Jackson Janes

Whether or not they believe Germany will win this year's World Cup, most Germans believe that opportunity to host the games will bring a positive bump to the mood and economy of the country. Hoping that the weeks ahead will remain free of violent incidents, people are preparing for the most part to have a good time. The run up to the opening game on June 9 featuring Germany against Costa Rica has the same earmarks as preparations for the American Super Bowl championship game. The main difference is that there will be a month of games to watch and celebrate.

The last time Germany was victorious at a World Cup was in 1990 - the same time that German unification was being celebrated. One year before, right before the Wall fell in Berlin, Boris Becker and Steffi Graf had both won at Wimbledon. Germans felt they were on a roll with their "three W's": Wimbledon, World Cup and then Wiedervereinigung (reunification). And in December of 1990, Helmut Kohl won another election as Chancellor in its wake.

This time around, the games are less loaded-up with political interpretations. Chancellor Merkel would undoubtedly profit from a German victory, but this is the first year since 1990 in which the World Cup does not coincide with a national election.

Estimates about the value added to Germany's current economic upswing are moderate, amidst the ups and downs of the market. The primary focus is on how far Germany can make it toward the finals this year and whether the captain of the team will be able to play in the opening game.

Amidst all the flag waving for the German team, there is a characteristic pride in the organizational efficiency with which the World Cup has been prepared. Pre-match opening ceremonies in Berlin attended by thousands came off without a hitch or glitch. The stadiums are ready. Even the weather is behaving.

Regardless of which two teams make it to the finals, the measure of success in Germany will be seen in the ability to have carried off what billions of people will be watching. The sense of accomplishment will resemble that of a country successfully hosting the Olympics.  In previous years there was often an expectation that anything less than a finals victory was a failure of both the team and its management. If Germany does not make it to the final, the team coach will probably reap the wrath of the media. But if all goes well during the next four weeks, there will be much to be grateful for.

Germany, as Chancellor Merkel put it, is enjoying a moment of national pride without feeling overly self-conscious about it. Watching a team try to work its way through tough competition can be a stimulating catalyst for a country which is facing some tough political and economic choices. It might remind everyone that one cannot take success for granted and that it takes a lot of effort to keep the ball rolling.

This is the first time the Germans have hosted a World Cup since 1974 when they were also the winners.  If this young German team winds up in Berlin for the final game, it will already have succeeded in inspiring the country, as it did then. Yet the same can be said about the other teams as well, including the Americans. As the coach of the German team that won the Cup in 1954 once said about their chances for winning, "the ball is round and the game lasts ninety minutes." Regardless of where we are during the next four weeks, we should all be able to enjoy each minute.

....................................................................................................
This essay appeared in the June 9, 2006 AICGS Advisor.

Please direct comments to: jjanes@aicgs.org

....................................................................................................
Want to know more?  Check out these links:

FIFA 2006 World Cup Official Website.

Deutscher Fussball-Bund Official Website.