LONDON --
When Die Mannschaft was at its lowest ebb -- they crumpled at the European Championship in 2000 and finished bottom of their group -- the majority of the current German team probably looked on with a mixture of bemusement and disappointment. Mario Gotze was eight years old. Thomas Muller was ten. Philipp Lahm surely took it all in with more seriousness at the age of 16. All of the players were already young footballers who stood out from their peers as players with potential for the future, although nobody could have predicted at that gloomy time how enthralling their future with Germany could be.
Two talented brothers in West Berlin watched on too. Both Boateng boys were in Hertha Berlin's youth system. Kevin-Prince was 13, Jerome was 11. The way the fates, and the independent decision-making of those boys developed, means they will be in opposition in Brazil as Germany take on Ghana. As they grew up, sons of a German mother and Ghanaian father, both of them represented the country of their birth with distinction at junior level.
But as Kevin-Prince waited for a full Germany cap, he was courted by the Black Stars, and chose to switch to Ghana. "I made a decision from my head but my heart is 100 percent Ghanaian now," he said when it was confirmed he could effectively begin his international career anew.
The Boateng brothers lined up in opposing colors at the World Cup four years ago. It was a close affair settled by one goal thrashed in by Mesut Ozil. At the end of the game both teams progressed from the group, so there was no need for any familial awkwardness.
''Tomorrow it's not about the Ayew bothers or the Boateng brothers. It's Ghana versus Germany, and what's important is that we have a good game,'' Andrew Ayew, who plays with his younger brother Jordan in the Ghana squad. ''What I can tell you is that, tomorrow we are going to die for our nation and do everything make our people proud.''
This meeting has a different kind of intensity. While Germany are in fine fettle and are strong favorites to emerge from Group G, Ghana are under pressure to keep qualification hopes alive after a demoralizing opening-day defeat inflicted late on by the United States. Kevin-Prince, who was left out of the starting lineup but came on in the second to make a positive impression, is determined to have a chance to affect the game.
"We need to sit down, take a long hard look at our errors and work hard," says Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan. "We have to regain our focus and not let nerves get the better of us. It's going to be a difficult match but we need to stick together more than ever and play our game."
Gyan added: "Germany are the group favorites and their morale will be high after beating a team of the caliber of Portugal 4-0. We won't be feeling quite so good but we'll be determined to do ourselves justice. I can't say what is going to happen but football always throws up a few surprises."
Germany coach Joachim Low may tinker with his system in anticipation of a different style of opponent. Ghana will be drilled to press more aggressively, in contrast to Portugal's counter-attacking, which Germany neutralized so comprehensively.
"We all know that Ghana has a certain quality," says defender Per Mertesacker, who if selected will win his 100th cap. "They are physically stronger than the Portuguese. This is a heated game, also because of the heat in Fortaleza."
Ahead of the game there has been a period of radio silence between the Boateng brothers. Both know exactly what is at stake on both sides of this international coin
