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The transformation of Germany's football has been based on an attention to detail and investment in young talent that shames the FA and Premier League

Mr Lurve, as they called him on the pre-match press conference, promises to "a bitter struggle", when Germany face Argentina in Cape Town. Here, in the fuel of the World Cup finals, is an excellent test of the new German identity. Nevertheless, strong spirit, but now gripping the eye, Nationalmannschaft want to be the most entertaining side in South Africa.

This response to the Guardian's questions about Germany's stylistic transformation under first Jürgen Klinsmann and now Löw conveys the bright new mood of England's nemesis. There might seem a predictability about the urge to laud the German system as Löw's men prepare to confront Diego Maradona's Argentina but the Bundesliga's output of young talent shames the Football Association and the Premier League.

"Ranking and results are not the only criteria. We have to look at our style, our play, our intentions," Löw says. "We thought about what football we wanted to display, what philosophy we wanted to follow, and how we'd implement that. We had an emotional match against England and after the 4-1 win we were enthusiastic. But the joy over that win lasted for a short time only. We know there's more to come. We want to go further."

Müller and Ozil have added zest and ingenuity to the left-footed power of Lukas Podolski and macho foraging of Miroslav Klose, who wins his 100th cap tomorrow six days after scoring his 50th international goal, against England. Niersbach tries to define his country's archetype: "Not just German footballers, but any player representing his or her country at international level is expected to bring absolute fitness to the table. Top physical condition is the be-all and end-all, without which the most diligent talent spotting, the best tactical education, will mean nothing.

"In terms of personal qualities, it is vital that players possess willpower, a sense of commitment, self-confidence and the ability to assert themselves, as well as a character beyond reproach."

At the sharp end of an overachieving structure shines the Bundestrainer, "Yogi" Löw, who was Klinsmann's No2 in 2004-06 before guiding Germany to the Euro 2008 final. Löw, 50, is emerging as Europe's smartest tactician at international level. His masterstroke was to abandon 4-4-2 midway through the last European Championship in favour of a 4-2-3-1 formation that has turned Müller and Podolski into lethal wide attackers while Ozil floats in the No10 position and Bastian Schweinsteiger and Khedira offer deeper midfield solidity.

Germany's quick evolution defies domestic expectations. In March despair accompanied the 1-0 loss in a friendly to Argentina and when Michael Ballack was ruled out through injury after the FA Cup final many German pundits talked as if it were now futile to board a plane to South Africa. This week Lothar Matthäus theorised that Ballack's absence has been a blessing because it quickened up Germany's attacking play.

"Further up the line there are 46 club academies. Twenty-nine German further-education schools have been designated Elite Football Schools. Students receive a perfectly normal education, up to the Abitur access universities, as well as take advantage of a large number of football in the curriculum.

Over the 50 days Löw says Germany have been together a gamble on young talent has started to look like a gold-strike. "There was a lot of scepticism before the tournament and I kept reminding the doubters of the qualities the players have," he says. "I've had a scenario in my mind for months: this is the kind of football I want to play at the World Cup. We've been aiming for that. I didn't just want to impose some tactics on the players. Rather, this is what I wanted to do, and I selected the players around that.

"My players have to fulfil tasks. They have to be disciplined in their play. There is no straitjacket I impose on them but they have to work on the pitch within my tactics. They can't just do what they want. We have to be faithful to a particular tactical play but they've bought into it and it's been working.

"We can handle situations like this. It's not always just down to experience. I know what my players are worth, and I think we can beat Argentina even with such a young team." From youth and orchestration come not only power now but entertainment: the final German virtue.