Germany’s Miroslav Klose celebrates his goal in the national team’s match against England in the second round of the 2010 World Cup. Germany went onto win 4:1. Photo: picture-alliance / M.i.S.-Sportpressefoto

So yesterday was “Der Klassiker”, as it’s known. The two European nations whose armed forces locked horns on a monolithic scale twice in one century, who threw entire generations of their youth into the slaughter and who, now that the age of tank battles and D-Day-landings is thankfully past, carry on their mythic struggle on the football pitch: England vs. Germany.

Now, as an Englishman living in Germany by choice, you might expect this to be a difficult moment for me – a kind of civil war of the heart, a question of torn loyalties and a long, heartfelt weighing up of allegiances.

Jean Louis Théodore Géricault, "The raft of the Medusa", (cc) wiki commons.

France finished its World Cup ambitions. This fact, and especially the way it happened, was received – especially by my countrymen – with happiness and derision. But as a Francophile, I couldn’t do this. Indeed, this provoked me to want to restore dignity to the national team of the country which will host me in September, especially since there was criticism and mockery from all sides (Equipe.fr said, “This World cup will be remembered for two things: the championship team and the absurdity of the French.”)

Brazil's players pose for a photo before the Group G last round match against Portugal at the 2010 FIFA World Cup on June 25. The match tied 0-0, with both Brazil and Portugal qualifying for the round of 16. Photo: picture alliance / Photoshot

The history of football in Brazil begins when Charles Miller, the son of a Scottish railway engineer and Brazilian mother of English descent, returns from England, bringing in his luggage some whistles, balls and uniforms. To an elite group in São Paulo, he introduces a new kind of sport – football.  The activity spread quickly among ordinary people to become the nation’s most beloved sport, which continues to the present day.

The USA's Landon Donovan celebrates victory after the final whistle in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Group C Match USA v Algeria, Photo: picture alliance / empics

Typically when I write about sports events, I start planning my work near the game’s end. By the 86th minute of Wednesday’s game between the United States and Algeria I had this blog pretty much written.

I was going to speak about missed opportunities, and the fact that the Americans had no one to blame but themselves for their draw against Algeria. I was prepared to talk about all the “almost goals” that occurred during the game. The shot that went off the crossbar, the shot that was just a little too far left and the shot that was a little too strong. I was going to touch on the fact that once again the United States fell victim to a referee’s blown call. Thankfully, the football gods had other plans for the US and thus this recap.

Fans in the stands at the FIFA World Cup 2010 group E match between Cameroon and Denmark June 19, 2010. Photo: Ronald Wittek, (c) dpa

I am writing this exactly ten days after the World Cup kicked off in South Africa; historically being held in Africa for the very first time. It has been dubbed a Once In a Lifetime tourney; others have billed it as This Time For Africa.

Many have been looking forward to an African World Cup. And it has truly lived up to expectations. Yes, because in Africa strange things happen, you know, something out of the ordinary.

David Herbling

David Herbling (26) comes from Kenya, where he’s currently a student at Kenyatta University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Herbling studied for a year in Japan as part of a research program and loves Germany.

As a Kenyan, Herbling is especially excited that this year’s World Cup has come to African soil. He, like nearly every Kenyan, has loved football since as long as he can remember. He’s an avid follower of the European football leagues, the UEFA European Football Championship and of course, the biggest football event of all, the World Cup.

Tamine Medeiros

Tamine came to Germany to study German at the Goethe-Institut when she was just eighteen. Intending to stay for only 6 months, being in contact with a new culture, living with other students from around the world, and the fact that she fell in love with the country, extended her stay to nearly 2 years! She says it was definitely the best experience of her life – a chance to learn and make some great friends.

Upon her return to Brazil, Tamine completed a 6-month internship at Mercedes-Benz. It was another great opportunity to learn, especially about the business world, and to keep up with the German language.