Franz Beckenbauer has said that extended time will give Germany an advantage in the final, meaning if it goes to penalties, then Germany will be the favorite because of Kahn.
This could be the gameplan for German coach Rudi Voeller and it could be his best chance of success. Without playmaker Michael Ballack -- who will not start because of a second yellow card picked up against South Korea -- Germany will struggle to push forward and support strikers Miroslav Klose and Oliver Neuville.
Worryingly, perhaps, Germany's top scorer Klose (with five headed goals) has not found the net since the first round, which suggests opposing defenses were able to neutralize his threat.
Two other factors could suggest a Brazilian victory today.
First, World Cup finals are generally high-scoring affairs with an average of four goals a match in the last 16 games -- and if one of the teams is to score the bets must be on Brazil.
Second, if Germany does hold out for penalties, Brazil proved it could rise to the occasion, by beating Italy in the US on penalties in 1994.
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