Germany have had a very good record in international tournaments in recent times, and a major reason behind that is they have had continuity in the manager's seat. Loew was the assistant to the then manager Jurgen Klinsmann in World Cup 2006 and inherited the responsibility after him. So he is intimately familiar with the current German players, most of whom have come through pretty recently, the exceptions being Klose, Mertesacker, Schweinsteiger and of course Philip Lahm.
It is widely accepted that Germany is experiencing a boom of outrageously talented youngsters, and as always the biggest dilemma for Loew was whether to pick the best players or the best team. He played his cards brilliantly in this respect. Strategically benching Gotze, getting the best out of Toni Kroos by giving him responsibility when there were question marks over his attitude, managing a half fit Schweinsteiger and an even less fit Khedira to get maximum results, all speak volumes about his tactical pedigree and man management.
It took Jogi Low 8 years before he was finally able to lift a trophy with Germany. He was appointed in 2006 after Jurgen Klinsmann resigned.
During those 8 years, he managed to guide Germany to 1 European Final in 2008 and 2 consecutive semi-finals at World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012. World Cup 2014 was important to the team. They had begun implementing an attacking brand of football designed around minimal touches, yet controlling possession as well as winning back the ball. This philosophy was impressive but had not resulted in any major tournament wins for Germany.
This was not a failure for Jogi Low and German football. That German team was just participating in an era where Spain were just head and shoulders above everyone else (guess who won Euro 2008, WC 2010 and Euro 2012.)
Then 2014 world cup, where everyone expecting big things out of Germany . It was their time viz. Peak of their cycle of outstanding players. There midfield was overflowing with talent. Wait even the term overflowing is not enougb to describe the tons and tons of talent in germany's midfield back then. They were destined to do great things More so than any other team.They have played an exquisite game throughout the tournament.There are no individuals in the German team: they play selflessly, as one, giving others the opportunity to score if it is for the benefit of the team.
Germany 2014 were an outfit where you could see each player playing their hearts out for the other 10 on the field. Only The Netherlands came close to such commitment and dedication.
e.g. Yesterday in the intitial periods, Howedes had made a run forward and Lavezzi took the ball and ran for the hills, Ozil, being a lazy, sophisticated Playmaker that he is, tracked back for about 80 yards and made a perfectly fine challenge to put the ball out of play for a throw in. You wouldn't even imagine him doing that at Arsenal.
And then there were standout individuals in Neuer, Hummels, Kroos, Lahm and Muller.
Notice closely, and you'll see they had one/two standout performer(s) in all the areas of the field.
Hummels-Neuer in defence, Lahm in midfield and defence, Kroos was absolutely exquisite in MF, Muller and Schurrle made huge impacts.
Germany are a nation of irrepressible winnersand it had to be them. It had to be Germany who would become the first European nation to win the World Cup in South America.
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