Sports and Technology Have the Power to Change the World

CHAPTER 2Using Sports Science to Optimize Player Performance: 2014 FIFA World Cup: Germany's Victory

The Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was alive! More than a billion people across the world tuned in, captivated by the beautiful game. It was July 13, 2014, and the sun was setting on a day that had been etched into the calendars of football fans across the globe for years. Inside the stadium, the air was thick with the electricity of 100,000 dreams, each one pinned on the 22 men who would soon take to the pitch. This was the 2014 FIFA World Cup final, the pinnacle of the footballing world, and they were the gladiators about to enter into battle.

The stadium was a sea of color, a vibrant tapestry woven from the flags of two proud footballing nations. The German black, red, and gold clashed spectacularly with Argentina’s blue and white stripes, creating a spectacle that was as mesmerizing as the match that was about to begin. The fans, their faces painted, their voices rising in unison, created an atmosphere that was nothing short of intoxicating. On the pitch, the players were the picture of focused intensity. Their faces were masks of concentration; their bodies coiled springs of potential energy. They were acutely aware of the magnitude of the occasion, what brought them here in this moment, and the reality of a “winner takes all” match. Both teams were ready to bring the trophy home with them and enjoy the spoils of victory.

The referee's whistle brought an already ...