Why do so many people refer to the German national team as 'over-achievers'?

They are a very large and developed nation, with a rich history of association football. Surely the term 'over-achievers' should be reserved for the likes of the lowly populated Uruguay (World Cup Winners, 1930 and 1950) and Denmark (European Champions 1992, and have never failed at the group stage of the World Cup).Why do so many people refer to the German national team as 'over-achievers'?
There is no such thing as an 'over-achiever' in sport. Winners are winners, simple!



Maybe Germany are referred to as over-achievers by some, because they have never actually been the best team at any World Cup technically, in terms of general skill, (e.g. in the 1974 World Cup, Holland had the best team, and in 1990, Cameroon had the best team) Also, Germany have a reputation for cold, calculating and dull football. Personally I think that this reputation is out-dated and wrong, I like the German national team, especially now, I think they are lot like our English national team used to be, except instead of falling at the final hurdle, the Germans used to get over it in the end, but not so much recently. (They have been in 3 finals, and one semi-final in the past decade alone, and have nothing to show for it). If anything, they are under-achievers!
I believe your misinterpreting the term. I agree with it, but it only refers to their results in the last decade, which are surprisingly good for the poor football they have shown. Today most of their players are just a bunch of talentless-disciplined-hard working athletes. They used to have top class midfielders, with amazing and rich technique, dominating the strongest leagues in Europe. They used to have strikers that could actually dribble the ball, and trick opponents. Even defenders like Beckenbauer were incredibly good with the ball. I got to watch their national teams on the early 90's when I was a kid, and they were a pleasure to watch. I've heard their 70's and 80's teams were even better. Their playmaking was fast, aggresive, and smart. Bottom line is: They used to be WAY better but they've managed to keep getting great results on the last decade despite their crappy squads.



And I must strongly disagree with your definition of over achieving. I mean, Uruguay deserved to win in 1950 (what does their population have to do with it?) . Denmark deserved to win that Euro cup. Uruguay is not a powerhouse anymore, and Denmark doesn't have Schmeichel or Laudrup, but that doesn't mean they're over achievers. They won what they deserved, and now that's in the past. Now they're not strong, and everybody acknowledges that.Why do so many people refer to the German national team as 'over-achievers'?
they're just jelous. bottom line.





i've never heard of that term before 'over-achievers'.



sure, in cup competitions you can only beat the team put out infront of you. They seem to have a lot of luck in international football, but take nothing away from the legendary German teams of the past.



In their hey day they were one of the best teams on the planet.



" The Dutch are braver and more creative players, but less disciplined. They want to let the opponent see and feel that they're better, but they forget to score and settle the game.�� - Franz Beckenbauer quote
Maybe it's because they've won the World Cup three times, been runners-up four times, hold three bronzes, have three European Championships and have been runners-up another three times for that particular championship. Sixteen medals of any kind in these two championships alone... Sounds like a whole lot of national achievements to me, don't you think?Why do so many people refer to the German national team as 'over-achievers'?
Germany are the over-achievers

Spain and England are the under-achievers



Anyway, im off to go play in the snow. Have fun
I think its because they have won 3 world cups, and they have never come into one as favorites. Plus they got 2nd place a lot of times.
due to their great football history