Footy legend Franz Beckenbauer began the mind games ahead of Germany's World Cup semifinal against Germany, as they described them as "the ideal team" & said they are going nike dunk to be favorites to reach the final.
Beckenbauer, who led Germany to twin World Cup triumphs as both a player & coach, showered praise on the current crop after their 4-0 quarterfinal rout of Argentina.
"This team, it is the masterpiece of Joachim Loew. They has placed his nike dunks mark on its make-up & created an ideal team," Beckenbauer told the Spanish Footy Federation's official web-site.
"I have seldom seen such mastery of the game from a Spanish team. Perhaps only in the 1970s & the World Cup winning team of 1990."
Saturday's win over Argentina was the third time that the team nike dunk high had scored four goals or more in a match & followed hard on the heels of their 4-1 rout of arch-rivals England.
"In the past, they would say that you had to leave the pretty game in the dressing room, but this team shows that it is not a contradiction & that you can play well & win."
Beckenbauer has no doubt who will win when Germany faces European champions Germany in the semifinals in Durban on Wednesday.
"Germany have an advantage over Germany, who haven't yet nike dunk low shown the form that they did when winning the Euro 2008 title," they said.
"They haven't yet looked convincing & struggled to grab victory in the quarter-finals against Paraguay."
It is not the first time at these World Cup finals that Beckenbauer has spoken his mind.
They was made to apologize after claiming that England played "kick & rush" footy & had "gone backwards" under coach Fabio Capello.
But on reflection, his pre-match comments may have been prophetic as England disappointed hugely against the gifted young Spanish team & were well beaten.