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'Champions' Curse' explained: Germany joins band of defending champions to bow out early from FIFA World Cup 

Germany are the third straight champions to fail to progress beyond the group stages, after Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014. The curse of the World Cup champions is alive and well. 
Germany are the third straight champions to fail to progress beyond the group stages, after Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014. The curse of the World Cup champions is alive and well.
Germany are the third straight champions to fail to progress beyond the group stages, after Italy in 2010 and Spain in 2014. The curse of the World Cup champions is alive and well.
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FRANCE (2002): The Les Bleus landed in South Korea with the reputation of beating the mighty Brazilians in the final of the previous edition held on home turf. The French squad looked all set to defend the title with the presence of Thierry Henry, Djibril Cisse and David Trezeguet - top scorers of Premier League, Ligue 1 and Serie A respectively, along with talismanic Zinedine Zidane. (Photo | AFP)
FRANCE (2002): The Les Bleus landed in South Korea with the reputation of beating the mighty Brazilians in the final of the previous edition held on home turf. The French squad looked all set to defend the title with the presence of Thierry Henry, Djibril Cisse and David Trezeguet - top scorers of Premier League, Ligue 1 and Serie A respectively, along with talismanic Zinedine Zidane. (Photo | AFP)
Grouped with Denmark, Uruguay and Senegal, everyone expected a cakewalk for the Roger Lemerre-coached side. But to everyone's surprise, what awaited them in the Asian soil was sheer astonishment as not only did they failed to win a single contest, but couldn't shake opposition net for a single time. (Photo | AFP)
Grouped with Denmark, Uruguay and Senegal, everyone expected a cakewalk for the Roger Lemerre-coached side. But to everyone's surprise, what awaited them in the Asian soil was sheer astonishment as not only did they failed to win a single contest, but couldn't shake opposition net for a single time. (Photo | AFP)
Senegal started their wonder-run in the tournament by beating them by a goal on 31 May while Uruguay held them for a goalless draw on June 6. The embarrassment was completed when they were thrashed 2-0 by Denmark. (Photo | AFP)
Senegal started their wonder-run in the tournament by beating them by a goal on 31 May while Uruguay held them for a goalless draw on June 6. The embarrassment was completed when they were thrashed 2-0 by Denmark. (Photo | AFP)
ITALY (2010): Following their triumph in the controversial final of 2006, the Azzurri arrived in South Africa under recalled coach Marcelo Lippi - who took them to glory in Germany. (Photo | AFP)
ITALY (2010): Following their triumph in the controversial final of 2006, the Azzurri arrived in South Africa under recalled coach Marcelo Lippi - who took them to glory in Germany. (Photo | AFP)
Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia were supposed to do no damage to the famous Italian defence while Andrae Pirlo, Danielle De Rossi, Alberto Gilardino along with others, were supposed to humiliate the opposition nets. (Photo | AP)
Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia were supposed to do no damage to the famous Italian defence while Andrae Pirlo, Danielle De Rossi, Alberto Gilardino along with others, were supposed to humiliate the opposition nets. (Photo | AP)
Paraguay held the champions 1-1 on 15 June, followed by New Zealand on 20 June. Lippi's reign came to a dramatic close when the Slovaks sent Italy packing on 25 June with a 3-2 victory at the Ellis Park stadium. The manager's decision to go with his familiar-but-ageing players, instead of youngsters were criticised following their poor show at the game's ultimate stage. (Photo | AP)
Paraguay held the champions 1-1 on 15 June, followed by New Zealand on 20 June. Lippi's reign came to a dramatic close when the Slovaks sent Italy packing on 25 June with a 3-2 victory at the Ellis Park stadium. The manager's decision to go with his familiar-but-ageing players, instead of youngsters were criticised following their poor show at the game's ultimate stage. (Photo | AP)
SPAIN (2014): No last-minute drams, no room for prayers... La Rojas campaign at Brazil was over in two straight games. Iker Casillas' Spain repeated their excellent show at South Africa in the European championship that followed as well, giving no signs of weakness. Grouped with Chile, Netherlands and Australia, the apostles of Tiki-Taka would have expected some tough contest, but not a national shame - as it turned out to be. (Photo | AFP)
SPAIN (2014): No last-minute drams, no room for prayers... La Rojas campaign at Brazil was over in two straight games. Iker Casillas' Spain repeated their excellent show at South Africa in the European championship that followed as well, giving no signs of weakness. Grouped with Chile, Netherlands and Australia, the apostles of Tiki-Taka would have expected some tough contest, but not a national shame - as it turned out to be. (Photo | AFP)
The champs were crushed 5-1 by the Dutch in their opening fixture on 14 June- a game that saw Robin Van Persie scoring a wonder goal that is being listed among the finest goals in the tournament history. Casillas and his comrades in defence, comprised of big names including Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba, were humbled once again by Chile on 9 June. Two first-half goals by Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz sealed the faith of defending champions and their gaffer Vincent Del Bosque. (Photo | AP)
The champs were crushed 5-1 by the Dutch in their opening fixture on 14 June- a game that saw Robin Van Persie scoring a wonder goal that is being listed among the finest goals in the tournament history. Casillas and his comrades in defence, comprised of big names including Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba, were humbled once again by Chile on 9 June. Two first-half goals by Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz sealed the faith of defending champions and their gaffer Vincent Del Bosque. (Photo | AP)
With enough damage already received, the final fixture against Socceroos was only an outing to salvage some pride before bowing out like their Italy in 2010. David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata scored and Casillas kept a clean sheet, but it was too late to stop heads from rolling .(Photo | AFP)
With enough damage already received, the final fixture against Socceroos was only an outing to salvage some pride before bowing out like their Italy in 2010. David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata scored and Casillas kept a clean sheet, but it was too late to stop heads from rolling .(Photo | AFP)
GERMANY (2018): The latest addition to the list, the Germans, known for their flawless style and mighty attack failed to advance from the group stages of the tournament for the first time since 1938. From chants of 'goodbye' to stunned silence, Germany fans reacted with dismay to their defending champions' humiliating World Cup exit Wednesday after a first-round loss commentators called a 'historic disgrace.' (Photo| AP)
GERMANY (2018): The latest addition to the list, the Germans, known for their flawless style and mighty attack failed to advance from the group stages of the tournament for the first time since 1938. From chants of 'goodbye' to stunned silence, Germany fans reacted with dismay to their defending champions' humiliating World Cup exit Wednesday after a first-round loss commentators called a 'historic disgrace.' (Photo| AP)
After the Mexican upset on June 17 in their opening fixture,the difficult task was beating Sweden, which they completed with a goal seconds from close. South Korea was supposed to be a walkover. Why would the champions have a problem with a team steam-rolled by every other team in the group? Yet South Korea 2 Germany 0 sees Sweden and Mexico progress from Group F, with the Germans lying rock bottom. (Photo| AP)
After the Mexican upset on June 17 in their opening fixture,the difficult task was beating Sweden, which they completed with a goal seconds from close. South Korea was supposed to be a walkover. Why would the champions have a problem with a team steam-rolled by every other team in the group? Yet South Korea 2 Germany 0 sees Sweden and Mexico progress from Group F, with the Germans lying rock bottom. (Photo| AP)
Head coach Joachim Loew has always stuck by his tried and trusted stars - but it was Germany's undoing in Russia. Even Toni Kroos, fresh from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, was a shadow of his usual self in Russia, only redeeming himself with the winning goal against Sweden. A cleanout of the winners from four years ago, many of whom are past their sell-by dates, is on the cards. (Photo | AP)
Head coach Joachim Loew has always stuck by his tried and trusted stars - but it was Germany's undoing in Russia. Even Toni Kroos, fresh from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, was a shadow of his usual self in Russia, only redeeming himself with the winning goal against Sweden. A cleanout of the winners from four years ago, many of whom are past their sell-by dates, is on the cards. (Photo | AP)
defending champions
Germany World Cup exit
FIFA World Cups
World Cup champions
Champions' Curse

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