FIFA World Cup: WAGS - Germany's 'Secret' Weapon?
They were screaming in support each time the players came out to play in the FIFA World Cup. The role played by the German WAGS in the team's triumph just cannot be ignored.
At a time when some of the major national teams barred wives and girlfriends from accompanying players, the Germans had the best of on and off-field pleasures en route to the World Cup 2014 title. (Germans get a grand reception at home | In pics)
German WAGS were the biggest supporters of the national team, each time it came out to play in the World Cup in Brazil. They cheered, they posed, they screamed and had a jolly good time as their respective partners combined as a unit to bring down numerous oppositions.
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With six wins and a draw, German players were utterly ruthless on the field. Off it, they were super suave as they welcomed embraces from their women. From Mario Goetze to Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Andre Schuerrle - most of the players had love pushing them forward on the football pitch. (Pics: How Germans partied after World Cup triumph)
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While some of the teams like England barred partners to travel with players, only to crash out in the league stage, Germans were not the only side to allow players some privacy with their respective 'interests'.
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal had let players have some time off before each of their games. "My principle is the overall picture - the total person, the player," he was quoted as saying. "I gave permission for the wives to visit the hotel and so the players could be happy." The team finished third in the World Cup.
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While football is all about skills and tactics, the role of love can hardly be ignored. Even the hero of the World Cup final - Goetze - admitted the part played by his partner in his success. "I owe a lot to my family and my girlfriend who always believed in me," he said at the press conference after Germany beat Argentina 1-0 to win the title. (Read in full here)