Saturday afternoon sees one of the most eagerly awaited clashes of the tournament yet. Germany’s swashbuckling ingénues and creaky defence taking on Argentina’s endless array of superstar attacking talent… and even creakier defence, coupled with a managerial battle of the clinical, versus the clinically insane. This game can surely only end nil-nil.
For the average England fan, this clash of bêtes noires will surely prove confusing. Germany’s Thomas Müller hasn’t been afraid to stick the boot into England this week for having ‘too many chiefs and not enough Indians’, which, presumably spoils the broth. While Argentine centre back Martin Demichelis came out on Friday to say that he wouldn’t be able to return home if he played like John Terry had against Germany. When the worst defender to play in a Champions League final since Djimi Traore is looking down on England’s ex-captain, the phrase ‘insult to injury’ doesn’t do it justice.
The bad-tempered end to these two teams’ last meeting in the World Cup in 2006 only adds extra spice to an already appealing meal. After a Jens Lehmann-inspired Germany put out the form team of the tournament Argentina on penalties in Berlin, proceedings descended into a near riot. Disgraceful scenes… that will hopefully be replicated this weekend. Germany certainly haven’t been afraid to stick the knife in through the press in the last few days , and this Argentina side (or indeed any Argentina side) aren’t exactly shrinking violets. Cape Town could well be in for some fireworks.
While the less said about 20th century German settlers in Argentina the better, there is no doubt that the recent history of these two countries is very much intertwined. 55 years ago, after defeat in World War II, Germany was on its knees, while Argentina was one of the richest countries in the world. The fortunes of the two countries have dramatically turned in opposite directions since then. German stability and renewal has contrasted with Argentina’s descent into military rule, war and multiple economic collapses.
US President Harry Truman in fact had a significant hand in both of these trajectories. The Marshall Plan, as everyone knows, was crucial in the rebuilding of post-war Europe, and particularly Germany. But while Europe was booming, it was under pressure from the Truman administration to keep Argentinean exports out, because they saw Juan Perón as a fascist (a mischaracterisation). Argentina’s wealth at the time was built on exports of grain and beef, but their subsequent poverty displayed how all too easily things can go wrong in such an open economy. Placing one’s country at the whim of the global markets, be they financial, or in goods, can be a dangerous casino, and the waves of prosperity and poverty that Argentina has experienced since the 50’s have only been marginally less violent than the alternating waves of democracy and military rule.
Argentina’s turbulent recent history makes it a fascinating place to visit. The centre of Buenos Aires is characterised by the grandeur of late 19th and early 20th century European architecture, when the city was modelled on Paris and other great European cities. However it is very much a faded grandeur, dusty relics of their past as an economic giant, and their degration a daily reminder of their chequered history since. In fact the Ministerio de Economía building off the Plaza de Mayo still sports bullet holes from one of the many military coups of the mid-20th century.
While much of the centre of Buenos Aires heralds its lamented past, the rest is a reminder of its harsh present. Once out of the centre, it’s not far until you reach one of the barrios, where makeshift shacks house three generations with not a job between them. In one case, the entrance to the shanty town stands directly opposite the Sheraton Hotel. A heavy handed image of inequality indeed, but nonetheless a true one.
There is much to admire about Germany, both for footballing, economic and environmental reasons, but Argentina’s political and economic history is a compelling melodrama of triumph and disaster, and Saturday will find me donning the albiceleste to cheer them on, spearheaded by quite simply the most naturally talented footballer I have ever had the honour to see in the flesh. And I’m not talking about Martin Demichelis.
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Views expressed here are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the World Development Movement.
Posted in: Argentina, Argentina-Germany, Germany
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