Numbers point to title win for Germany

Jun 18, 2010 - John Bagratuni |

Hamburg

Hippo Betty has predicted a German victory over Serbia in the World Cup, which basically means the other teams can go home because the Germans will lift the trophy on July 11.

The omens are simply too overwhelming, and that doesn’t even include the team’s super performance in the 4-0 victory against Australia. First of all, Germany have won the World Cup every time they defeated Yugoslavia aka Serbia in the tournament.
There was a 2-0 quarter-final victory in 1954, the same 2-0 scoreline in the second group stage in 1974 and a 4-1 drubbing in the opening group game in 1990. The other games were a Yugoslav quarterfinal win in 1958 and a 2-2 draw in the 1998 group stage before the Germans went out in the quarterfinals against Croatia (formerly a part of Yugoslavia).
So the Germans will win the trophy a fourth time if they beat the Serbs in the group game in Port Elizabeth on Friday. Anyone who doesn’t buy this may take a closer look at the number 3,964. Add the years of Brazil’s second title 1962 and their so far last one in 2002 — 3,964. How about Argentina’s titles 1978 and 1986? Right, 3,964.
Now subtract 1954, the year Germany got their first title, from 3,964 and what do you get? 2010, of course.
Still not convinced that Die Mannschaft (The Team) will win a fourth title?
How about this: Germany came second in 1966 and third in 1970 before taking the trophy in 1974. Now they were second in 2002 and third in 2006 which makes it absolutely clear that captain Philipp Lahm will get the Cup this time around.
Back to the hippo then. Betty delayed her morning splash in the pool at Chemnitz zoo on Thursday when she went straight for an apple under a German flag, paying no attention to the same delicacy placed under a Serbian flag. Under rules of the zoo’s “animal oracle” this means that Betty is predicting a German victory over Serbia on Friday.
The only hope for non-believers is that Betty in particular and the zoo in general have sometimes erred. Porcupine Leon got it all wrong on Sunday predicting an Australian win. — DPA
win and the next to test their knowledge are the marmosets next week ahead of Germany v Ghana.
But even if they fail the other omens are simply too strong and the team itself may simply do its share to win the World Cup. — DPA

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