There's No 'I' in Team—Or Mannschaft

Germany have scored 13 goals in this World Cup. What is the secret to their success? It's not just the muscular and intelligent Bastian Schweinsteiger; it's not just the exuberance of youth either.

It's Team Spirit—the same old team spirit.

The Germans have played some lovely football, and they have done it without any pressure. The consensus in Germany was simple: this German team wasn't expected to do well and so they would be glad if they managed to make it to the quarters and bow out.

They have proved all the doubters wrong and won over many fans. Perhaps, outside of Spain and Germany, most neutrals will want to see the Germans triumph.

The Dutch and the Germans are in the last four and it's not because of individuals. Everyone plays their part for the team. Ask Lukas Podolski to defend and he will do it; ask Angel di Maria to do likewise and he might say no.

Outside of Germany, not too many people know Toni Kroos, Mesut Oezil, Thomas Mueller, Sami Khedira, Manuel Neuer, and Jerome Boateng. Marcell Jansen and Piotr Trochowski were both present in past tournaments but remain known just inside Germany and to followers of the Bundesliga.

Admit it: plenty of you reading this piece probably had no idea who these youngsters were before the World Cup.

These players are not just skilful and brilliant; they know how to slot in for each other, help raise one another's spirits when things are not going well, and most of all, they all want to win. Mesut Oezil already won a German Cup for his club, Werder, by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Leverkusen in 2009.

The team spirit can be seen when players pass for their teammates when they can have a go themselves instead. It can be seen when they keep going together even when they are a man down. They appreciate each other and do not criticize each other. They also back each others' comments prior to a match.

Miroslav Klose was asked about Ronaldo's record as he is one short of equalling it and two short of breaking it. He said he wanted to win the World Cup more than break the record. There you go, Team Spirit!

Take away Thomas Mueller and you are taking away one piece of a very "fluid" puzzle. Joachim Loew has quite a few players capable of filling the void left by this "wunderkind."

Yes, Germany had problems against Ghana without Klose; so it remains to be seen whether they can overcome the loss of Mueller. In the Ghana game, Germany kept on going, didn't give up and Mesut Oezil eventually settled it.

Germany are no longer the pragmatic side they once used to be. But a few things haven't changed. They are still quite efficient and clinical; the difference is that this new Germany is colourful, fluid and a joy to watch. The 2006 team was joyful to watch as well; but there is a difference. This team is perhaps better than the class of 2006.

Germany's next opponents are Spain. Spain are strong and filled with stars. Even though the defence isn't very solid, they have conceded only two goals (which should have been three but the referee disallowed Nelson Valdez's goal). Germany likewise have conceded only two (which also should have been three because the referee disallowed a valid English goal).

Germany are weaker on paper—they are the underdogs. But they are indeed the team that many expected Spain to be: an entertaining side scoring goals for fun.

Beneath the tactical and beautiful football they play is a steely determination they all possess. This is what Bastian Schweinsteiger had to say: "Spain will be tougher than England or Argentina, but we’ve shown that we can be very good."

Germany's development will surely be assessed now. Germany lost to Argentina in Munich four months ago but learnt plenty from that defeat; they surely learned plenty from the loss in the final of the European Championship in 2008, but it remains to be seen how far they have progressed since then.

Fans are now hopeful that a German team not expected to make it to the semis actually have a chance to win the World Cup. And many teams such as Argentina and England may learn from the Germans that there is no "I" in team.