Germany crash out of World Cup to continue the 'curse' of the champions
France, Italy, Spain and now Germany are all part of an unwanted statistic
There was a huge surprise at the Kazan Arena. Germany, current world champions and regulars in the latter stages of the World Cup, were knocked out in the group stage of this year's tournament after losing 2-0 to South Korea.
Germany were not capable of scoring the goal which would have carried them into the last 16 and conceded two in stoppage team as their dream of retaining the trophy disappeared.
Perhaps it was not such a surprise, though, as it continues a recent trend -- or curse -- with nations that have won the World Cup.
In each of the last three finals -- and in four of the last five -- the holders failed to make it out of the group stages.
It happened with France in 2002 after they won it in 1998; with Italy in 2010 after they were crowned world champions in 2006; and in 2014 it happened to Spain after their World Cup success in South Africa in 2010.
