A plaque outside the stadium in Charleroi, the small Belgian town garrisoned against threat of hooliganism Saturday, reminds us that the Battle of Waterloo was fought close to here.
Propaganda is in the air.
The German camp is said to be riven by dissent. Four players, we are told, object to the inclusion of Lothar Matthaeus, the old campaigner who is running out of influence and steam. Some players, shielding behind anonymity, whisper that Matthaeus is the source of the team's defensive frailty. Some of us who have been around the German lines when big tournaments loom say beware the outpourings. When Germany bickers, its players are serious.