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Per Mertesacker believes German football’s greatest night can be traced back to when they thrashed England five years ago.

Six of the Germany team which humiliated Brazil on Tuesday graduated from the Under-21s that beat England 4-0 in the final of their 2009 Championship.

Manuel Neuer, Benedikt Hoewedes, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil all started in Belo Horizonte, and have gone from being promising youngsters to writing their names into the World Cup record books.

Arsenal defender Mertesacker claims the 7-1 thrashing of Brazil - the biggest ever score in a World Cup semi-final and Brazil’s heaviest ever defeat - was the culmination of Germany’s recent progress.

Tellingly, James Milner was the only England player from the 2009 Under-21s campaign to make the Three Lions' World Cup squad five years on.

Mertesacker said: “The youth academies have been developing well in the last five or six years. It started off in 2009 when we won the Under-21 tournament and beat England 4-0. That was a real turning point and five or six players from that team are doing well here.

“There’s a small link between these two tournaments. That was five years ago. There could be a reason. But overall you have to create a team spirit, and with those magnificent players growing up together it makes it easier.

“If there are only 11 players who feel responsible to create the team, then you have no chance.

“I think we have one of the strongest squads I’ve ever played in. We have two excellent players for every position and our whole squad is very lively. Everyone is capable to play and as you could see all of the players who came on were magnificent and that can make the difference.

“There’s a good rivalry. But we’ve found the team spirit as well during the tournament and that makes the difference.”

Brazil 1-7 Germany photo gallery:

It was an unforgettable night for Germany - and an unforgivable one for Brazil.

The Germans gave the host nation, the purveyors of the beautiful game, a footballing lesson. But Mertesacker insists it will count for nothing unless they also win the final on Sunday.

Three-time winners Germany lost their last two World Cup semi-finals but Mertesacker believes this current squad can get even better and go on to win even more trophies.

The 29-year-old, a half-time substitute against Brazil, said: “It’s the best result of my career when you consider the importance of the game. We have created excellent team spirit during the tournament.

“Overall, we have a good balance. Everyone believes in each other and that’s the main reason behind this team.

“To knock out the favourites in the semi-final is always pretty good and it’s good for German football. But we must look forward to the final because that’s what really counts.

“We’d never have believed it, never ever. When you score five goals so early... even from the bench, it was crazy to watch.

“Everything went so fluently, we played through their lines, always found a player who was completely free in front of the goal. Great skills, greatpassing moves from ourselves. It was nice to watch.

“I feel sorry for Brazil. I experienced it when I played with Germany in 2006 and we got knocked out by Italy in the semi final.

“The expectations are big here in Brazil and to carry those is not easy. You could see that and we took advantage of it because there was a bit too much pressure on them and I feel sorry for everyone.”

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Germany U21s' starting XI vs England, 26 June 2009

By Joshua Raymond

Manuel Neuer Bayern Munich's No1 keeper - and arguably the best goalie in the world.

Andrea Beck Just missed out on final selection for the 23-man squad.

Benedikt Howedes Captain of Schalke. Played in the 7-1 destruction of Brazil.

Jerome Boateng Integral member of Bayern Munich’s defence. Started on Tuesday night.

Sebastian Boenisch Switched allegiances and now plays for Poland.

Mats Hummels Borussia Dortmund defender wanted by Manchester United. Scored against France in the quarter-finals and played on Tuesday

Fabian Johnson Another who switched country. Played for the United States at this World Cup.

Gonzalo Castro A regular in Bayer Leverkusen’s midfield, he has won five full caps but is no longer part of Germany squad.

Sami Khedira The Real Madrid midfielder was outstanding against Brazil.

Mesut Ozil Arsenal's record buy. Played on the left flank on Tuesday.

Sandro Wagner Hertha Berlin striker. Scored twice in that U21 Euros Final but has never played for the full Germany team.

And their Three Lions counterparts...

Scott Loach Goalkeeper for Championship side Rotherham.

Martin Cranie Defender now at League One side Barnsley.

Micah Richards Struggling for first team opportunities at Premier League champions Manchester City. Richards was the youngest defender ever to be called up to England seniors, has won 13 caps and was a member of the GB 2012 Olympics squad

Nedum Onuoha Versatile centre-back at Queens Park Rangers.

Kieran Gibbs Won FA Cup with Arsenal last season and has three full caps.

Lee Cattermole Sunderland midfielder has earned a fearsome reputation and a Premier League record seven red cards

Fabrice Muamba No longer a pro, following a cardiac arrest suffered on the pitch during an FA Cup tie which saw his heart stop beating for 78 minutes.

Mark Noble Longest serving member of the West Ham squad.

James Milner Only member of England's Class of 2009 to be part of Roy Hodgson’s squad in Brazil, although he only appeared in ‘dead’ match against Costa Rica.

Theo Walcott The Arsenal forward would have been in England’s 2014 squad but for injury.

Adam Johnson Earned a £7million move from Middlesbrough to Manchester City, who sold him for £10m to Sunderland. Has won 11 caps but is inconsistent.