Rudi Voeller's team started the tournament with modest expectations, telling all who would listen that the real goal was preparing a team capable of winning the 2006 World Cup.
After all, Germany had to defeat Ukraine in a play-off match to secure their passage to the Far East.
And Voeller's World Cup squad is missing several key players.
Playmaker Sebastian Deisler, key defender Jens Nowotny and Christian Worns all sustained injuries that precluded their participation in Korea and Japan.
Midfielder Memhet Scholl opted against travelling to the World Cup after an injury-plagued season and even after Germany arrived the problems did not stop, with Joerg Boehme sent home suffering from a torn muscle.
So how have Germany reached the final?
It was crucial that Voeller's team got off to a flying start to bolster the self-belief of a team rated as no more than an outside chance.
They did just that, thrashing Saudi Arabia 8-0 in their opening game, recording their highest ever World Cup win.
Voeller's team conceded a last-minute equaliser in their next match, against the Republic of Ireland, but it remains the only goal scored against them.
This defensive solidity has been fundamental to their success.
While defensive lapses cost England against Brazil and both Italy and Spain against South Korea, Germany have remained efficiently resolute.
The may lack defensive players with the attacking panache of Andreas Brehme but they have a solid back four and a superb midfield protector in Dietmar Hamann.
Time and again Hamann has terminated opposition attacks in their infancy and eased the pressure on his defence.