GERMANY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2014 - Argentines living in Germany confident ahead of World Cup final

Record ID: 449161

  • Title: GERMANY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2014 - Argentines living in Germany confident ahead of World Cup final
  • Date: 12th July 2014
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF COUPLE DANCING TANGO VARIOUS OF PICTURE OF MARADONA HOLDING UP TROPHY
  • Embargoed: 27th July 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: General,Politics,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA1PITTP35GEEJA2MQR4W0AOMDP
  • Story Text: The Argentinean community in Germany celebrated Argentinean Independence Day on Saturday (July 12) with a barbecue and dancing the tango.
    But all minds were set already on Sunday (July 13), the day of the World Cup final that will pitch soccer giants Germany and Argentina against eachother.
    The mood was optimistic, but many of the Argentinean fans know they have a tough battle on their hands.
    "It will be a difficult game but very interesting," said Marcelo de la Vega. "Very interesting for everybody. But I do hope that Argentina will win but I don't know what will happen. We have to wait and see."
    Fellow Argentina fan, Ana Claxon, added "It will not be easy with Germany. They are a good team. But Argentina has not lost a single match in this competition. Maybe a victory should be possible."
    Some, such as Pepe Pizzi, have a divided opinion.
    "She (pointing at his daughter) is German, I am Argentinean. And to her dismay I want Argentina to win. But I think that Germany's chances are better," he said.
    The ambassador of Argentina in Germany, Daniel Polski, found was more diplomatic in his assessment.
    "Tomorrow evening at 9 o'clock, that is the moment of truth", he said.
    "It has a team which has won all of its games, bar the last one which they only won on penalties. And they have become better and better with every match. That is why we are confident to win tomorrow," he said.
    Germany hopes to have the edge over Argentina in Sunday's World Cup final after admitting they restrained themselves when they thumped Brazil in the semi-finals.
    Germany ruined the samba nation's dream of winning the World Cup when they hammered Brazil 7-1 on Tuesday (July 8).
    Argentina had to rely on penalties to defeat the Netherlands in the other semi-final on Wednesday (July 9).
    Regardless of the result, Sunday's match will mark the end of the road for Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella, who is stepping down, according to his agent.
    A former midfielder who was capped eight times by Argentina, Sabella got involved in coaching after he retired as a player in 1989 and took on the national job in 2011.
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