World Cup 2014 Group of Death Analysis: Can Germany Finally Win a Major Tournament With Its Current Generation?

The Group of G will be the most watched Group at the World Cup this summer. The idea of watching the Germans, Americans, Portuguese and Ghanese face off is extremely exciting as it provides an opportunity for major upsets. Which team will be the surprise of the group?

For many, Germany is the runaway favorite not only to take the group, but also to potentially win the tournament. Can Joachim Loew's side finally overcome its failures over the years?

History

Germany has arguably the most fascinating history in this tournament. While a description of other teams would focus on major highlights among a sea of failures, one would actually be more compelled to highlight the Germans' failures in this tournament. In 17 appearances at the World Cup, the Germans have failed to finish fourth place or better just five times. No other team has that kind of pedigree. Germany's worst finish in the tournament took place in 1938 when it finished 10^th. Since then the Germans have never finished worse than seventh in the World Cup; that happened on two occasions. The first was in Chile in 1962 and the second was in France in 1998. The team finished fifth in 1994 and also had a sixth place finish in 1978 when a second group stage was still being utilized.

Aside from that the Germans have been tremendously successful in the World Cup. The team has finished fourth just once (1954) and finished in third four times (1934, 1970, 2006, 2010). The team has finished as the runner-up four times (1966, 1982, 1986, 2002) and has won the tournament three times (1954, 1974, 1990).

Considering Germany's history and its terrific squad, it is hard to imagine this team finishing less that fourth in this year's tournament.

How they got here

Germany was nearly perfect in the qualifying rounds and actually had to get past a rather difficult group to get there. The team won nine games out of ten in a group that included Sweden, Austria, Ireland, Kazakhstan and the Faroe Islands; Germany scored 36 goals and conceded 10 times. The lone blemish was a 4-4 draw against Sweden in which Loew's men actually blew a 4-0 lead at home.

Star players

Aside from Spain, no other team is stacked with a plethora of superstars throughout its roster. Mario Goetze, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manuel Neuer, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil, Mats Hummels, Julian Draxler, Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle, Phillipp Lahm, Lukas Podolski, Ilkay Gundogan, Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose... the list goes on and on. That some of these players will not be in Brazil speaks to the volume of talent at Loew's disposal.

Can they get out of the group stage?

Germany has only faltered in the preliminary round once and that mistake came in 1938. Since then the team has escaped the group stage. It is inconceivable that this team will fall short in the group stage regardless of how difficult the competition might be. In fact, it will be shocking if Germany fails to win the group with at least seven points.

Can they win the tournament?

Germany's losses in the last few tournaments are not a result of lacking talent but simply falling short against surging sides. In the Euro 2012, the team was trounced by a rising Italian side. In the 2010 World Cup, Spain was just too good. In the 2008 Euro the Germans were the favorites but fell short against Spain. This team should have the mental fortitude to win this thing now.

Expect the Germans to get to the top four and possibly even win the tournament for the first time since 1990.