It's fascinating how one fleeting moment can decide not only the course of a team's future, but the atmosphere of a nation. When Germany came up against Sweden last night, they were in need of a moment, a jolt of energy, a wake up call to save the lives of a team falling asleep at the wheel. After winning the World Cup in 2014, and after winning the Confederations Cup--despite resting their entire first team for the summer--as well as the U-21 Euros last summer, many had expected Germany to reclaim their World Cup glory. However, after Mexico shocked the Germans on Match Day 1 with a 1-0 win, and after Sweden went ahead with an early goal from Ola Toivonen, the defending champions found themselves with their backs pressed against the wall. Had the halftime score of 1-0 held, Germany would have been eliminated full stop. Soon though, Marco Reus equalized. Max Bottcher, who is a native German, began chanting and grew hopeful. The tension rose when Jerome Boateng, who was a rock in the middle of Germany's World Cup-winning defense four years ago, got sent off. Just when it seemed all hope was lost though, with Sweden set to go into the final matchday three points ahead of Germany, Toni Kroos swung a gorgeous curler into the goal, past Sweden's mammoth goalkeeper. The entire nation of Germany went crazy--the first time they have been truly riled up since that fateful final in Rio. Max, sharing in his countrymen's jubilations, ran into the streets, jumped for joy, and sang the praises of a Germany team which, after passing through the valley of darkness, are now back in the hunt for glory.
