International Cup Final Preview

Germany's fifth finals appearance and Brazil's first. Who will come up trumps in the 5th ever GIMP DFA International Cup Final?

Brazil

Record : 6-0-3 / +9 GD

It was once written (on a website not a million miles away from here) that the International Cup was Thompson's achilles' heel. That he would never truly be recognised in the pantheon of the DFA as a great manager with such a poor Brazilian managerial record. Well, for once, it seems someone has paid attention to the blog. Some may say he was gifted a spot in the knockout rounds by Italy's collapse in Dublin, but advancing from a group with three evenly matched nations was always going to require a slice of luck.

The semifinal victory against holders England cannot be understated, as 116 tense, scoreless minutes can fray even the calmest of nerves. It was Thompson's 4th clean sheet, surprising for a manager not renown for his defensive prioritisation. Though those four blanks may be down to opponents' inactivity rather than conscious tactical decision-making.

If Thompson is to scrawl his name among the International greats, he must find a way past the most successful nation in the DFA. With a squad as talented as Brazil's (minus the injured L. Fabiano), it is certainly not beyond him.

Key Men: J. Cesar (4 clean sheets), Kaka (3 goals), Robinho (3 goals)

Germany

Record : 9-0-0 / +31 GD

What can be written about this German side that has already not been said? They steamrolled the group stage (which had potential to be tricky), only conceding two goals in 8 matches, all whilst scoring 27; then brushed aside Portugal 6-0 in the semifinals, only allowing the visitors one shot (off target) from 33 yards.

It has been far too easy thus far, and as this season will tell you, it is not always the obvious choice that will prevail. Pruitt will have to ensure his squad is at their offensive and defensive bests against Brazil. Germany swept their previous meetings in the competition, 1-0 and 1-3, but in a one-off final, form goes right out the window.

Key Men: R. Adler (7 clean sheets), M. Klose (14 goals), M. Ballack (5 assists)