No penalty shootout. Germans expect the grand final of the World Cup to be decided in normal time. Unlike the Argentines, Germans have not gone through such suffering in the tournament. Only against Algeria, in the eighth-finals, the three-time champions of the world saw this possibility almost turn into reality. However, the team ended up winning in overtime 2 to 1.

"We hope to not reach the penalty shootout and decide before that. The penalty shootout is a huge pressure and depends on other things, "said Germany coach Joachim Löw.

Furthermore, if the duel comes to penalties, German commander already has that famous "cheat sheet", a thorough study of Argentine players. "Now, our goalkeepers are being prepared for a penalty shootout. It hasn't happened only in 2006," continued the coach, in reference to the final won by Italy in front of the French.

"Every game we studied it. We analyze the various players shooting penalties. Some players shoot in diferent sides of the goal. Than, you never know it. But of course we've done an analysis of the players, trends and preferences of each team we've beated. "he added.

To reach the final of the World Cup, Argentines triumphed over the Dutch in the penalty shootout. The great hero of that confrontation was goalkeeper Romero, who saved two shots and put Argentina in a final, after 24 years.

Translated by Henrique Bastos