Will sexy Germany please stand up?

PICTURE: AFP

Germany can finish what Spain started.

The Spaniards dragged the choking tournament from its own funeral pyre in 2008, after the Greeks tried to burn all that was beautiful about the game.

The Greeks destroyed. The Spanish resurrected. The Germans can continue Europe’s road to redemption against Portugal tomorrow morning (Singapore time).

They can bring the sexy back. For that to happen, the real Germany must stand up.

If the tantalising Teutonic terrors turn up in Lviv, they will lay down a mission statement for Euro 2012. This party can get started right.

If the meek men of recent friendlies timidly take to the turf, particularly the forlorn-looking bunch who went down 3-5 to Switzerland last month, the Germans will again flatter to deceive.

After finishing at least third in their last three tournaments, their countrymen expect to go one step beyond this time. Patience is no longer a virtue. Germany’s time must be now.