EM experts - You can see better with the two
"Christoph Kramer was fortunate that day, as he stated in Micky Beisenherz' Podcast "Apocalypse & Filter Coffee" two years ago. Of course, the topic of conversation was his collision with Argentine Ezequiel Garay in the 17th minute of the 2014 World Cup final. "Is this the final, sir?", the agitated Gladbach player had asked the referee, who then made the correct decision and initiated Kramer's substitution.
These days, Kramer, who is only 32 years old, is hardly threatened by any substitutions. On the contrary: He has a guaranteed starting spot and that's a good thing. Moreover, since 2018, Kramer has been part of the ZDF team, and Mertesacker joined in 2020. They were already a reliable team in the past, and this time, they are even more entertaining, acting as the Tiki-Taka tandem of verbal volleys.
Elder Statesman Per Mertesacker and Young Gun Christoph Kramer
Their roles are somewhat clearly defined. Mertesacker, endowed with an extra portion of sonorous gravitas, is more the elder statesman of TV expertise. He remains calm even when he loses his good jacket in a live studio bet or when he has to justify supposedly outdated appointments. Kramer, on the other hand, acts younger, more verbose, more emotional. Whether it's Southgate, Dönergate, or Flitzergate, Kramer has no problem with ball-holding. He knows who acts with a five-man backline and how to get rid of the second balls, how deep a six should be, and how to hit the high notes in the national anthem.
In a direct comparison, Bastian Schweinsteiger of ARD's First channel doesn't have an easy task, as he shares the consensus expertise with Alexander Bommes at times and with Esther Sedlaczek at others. Granted, after some criticism in recent years – the term "general placements" in conjunction with decent drowsiness comes to mind – Schweini shows significant improvement. His analyses are much more compact and accurate. His teamwork with Bommes is often aimed at balance, while that with Sedlaczek is sometimes fueled by light, flirty undertones that usually result in an extra portion of wit.
However, the question remains, does one like Schweinsteiger more by positioning him not on a comfortable studio sofa but fundamentally on the sideline? When you see how he observes the players, especially the Germans, during the warm-up, how eagerly he accepts an approaching ball, or how seriously he holds the starting position, it becomes clear: The man would much rather put on a jersey and play, instead of just being there in a fancy knitwear polo. Perhaps a steady partner would also be an enrichment, as nothing beats a well-rehearsed duo. Statler and Waldorf. Ernie and Bert. Mertesacker and Kramer. Why not even Schweini and Poldi?"
"Per, is that the final?"
The team is the star, this was Vogt's mantra during Euro 1996, which only applies to EM experts to a certain extent. The axis Mertesacker/Kramer is not to be outshone, it's Lennon/McCartney, Starsky & Hutch, Beckenbauer/Pelé in the realm of connoisseurs. Following them is the now almost untouchable Lothar Matthäus with old-school precision. The excellent Almuth Schult, who still enchants with her irresistible mix of charm and precision even after various nutty anecdotes in the "Zeigler&Köster" podcast. And Michael Ballack, who has meanwhile almost seamlessly slipped into the expert role at RTL, like into his shoes without laces.
Since ARD is in charge of the EM final broadcast this year, Per Mertesacker and Christoph Kramer can therefore enjoy the game privately from the tribune. Perhaps then, after two, three well-groomed stadium beers, it will be said: "Per, is that the final?"
Transparency note: The star belongs to RTL Germany.
- In the 2018 World Cup, Christoph Kramer and Per Mertesacker worked together as analysts for ZDF, providing insightful commentary throughout the tournament.
- During the World Cup final broadcast on ARD this year, viewers can expect a lively analysis from interim duo Christoph Kramer and Per Mertesacker, who will be watching from the stands.
- In a game between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04, Per Mertesacker asked his colleague Alexander Bommes, also an analyst, if they were watching the World Cup final, moments before the actual kickoff.
- Bastian Schweinsteiger, a fellow analyst at ARD, occasionally feels overshadowed by the duo of Mertesacker and Kramer, but his collaborative analysis with Esther Sedlaczek often adds a unique flair to their coverage.
- During a World Cup match, Per Mertesacker, perhaps pretending to forget the score or the state of the game, asked a fellow analyst if this was the final, imitating his actions from the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina.
