I think Tony Karon is being a bit tough on the German team. Admittedly the world has incorporated all the good elements of German soccer- the physicality, the efficiency, the slow and methodical buildup in midfield that would test the patience of Job, the aerial supremacy of Klinsmann, Voller, and Bierhoff.
And indeed all the teams from the beer guzzling English to the tackle chary French have taken a page or two from German soccer and leveled the playing field. But the Germans were the same way in the 2002 WC. They had a few bright sparks, Michael Ballack being one of them but the rest of them were a shade over mediocre but they still pulled through in WC 2002 making the finals even though many had written them off.
I agree that the Germans will not win the World Cup and it would be a shame if they do, but there is something to be said about their resilience that has nothing to do with their level of talent which has indeed waned over the years. It probably goes way back in evolutionary psychology but there is something to be said about the Teutonic spirit, which incorporates discipline, courage, and energy. The etymology of the word pluck is Teutonic. And that is what the Germans show in soccer when thoroughly overmatched.
The many times that they have pipped teams to the post is quite extra-ordinary. Ask the French in 1982 and even more so the English who have not won since 1966 over Germany. They lost the semifinals in the 1990 WC against Germany.
I think those who choose to overlook Germany do so at their own peril. They will get past the first round and maybe even the round of 16 but after that it would be a case of ” the flesh is weak but the spirit is willing.”