And add to that their past stars - Rahn, Walther, Moerlock from 1954, Seeler, Emmerich, Tilkowski from 1966 and of course the famous trio of Beckenbauer, Muller, Maier from 1974. German football has been derided for dull play but they have fought the toughest matches of all time.
I am sure Germany will not disappoint us this time too. Germans are thought to be racist but the Germans I have met have been very warm and friendly. I remember a visit to a German ship called 'Sturmfels' owned by Hansa Lines, Bremen in 1977 when I was seven years old.
Germans have been instrumental in India's independence for their support of Netaji and the setting up of the Azad Hind Fauj. Netaji met Ribbentrop and Hitler in Berlin in 1941 and they extended all support to India. Only Goering was suspicious and though Netaji was a communist spy which he later found was not true. One of Netaji's best friends was Adam von Trott who was also very pro Indian and who was later hanged for his role in Operation Valkyrie.
Germans have no respect for Italians, Spanish and Turks whom they however like but do not consider them equal in status. I guess this is justified to some extent if you see the sneaky and furtive nature of at least Turks and Italians who make up the labour class in Germany.
For me, Germany is 'mein fatherland'- a country I can give my life for. As they say 'ich bein ein deutschlander' - I am a German.
