Mark McGhee believes there is a good chance that Scotland will be going up against the newly crowned world champions when they face Germany in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.
The national team assistant manager has been impressed with Joachim Loew's side as they prepare for tomorrow's World Cup semi-final against tournament hosts Brazil.
Germany thrashed Portugal and defeated the USA during a group campaign that also saw them draw with Ghana, before overcoming Algeria and France to reach the last four.
Scotland begin their quest to qualify for the Euros with a tough opener against the Germans in Dortmund on September 7.
And McGhee, who had a spell at Hamburg during his playing days, admits he would not be surprised if Scotland are the first team to go up against Germany in competitive action as the World Cup holders.
He said: "They [Brazil] have progressed further than I believed they would but now I think their time is up. The imperious Germans will see to that on their way to the final. The efficiency the Germans have exhibited has been awesome.
"Not win at all costs but win regardless of performances. Win when not playing at their best. They have the organisation and mentality to do this."
Speaking in his column in the Mail on Sunday, Gordon Strachan's assistant added: "The Germans are a unit, prepared for every scenario. Vorsprung durch technik - advantage through technology. Or in the case of the German Football Federation, through preparation.
"Attention to detail is key. The goal scored by Mats Hummels against France [in the quarter-finals] came from a set-piece, but you can bet Joachim Loew's men entered the match with a complete understanding of where the weaknesses in the French defence lay and how to punish them with the right delivery to the right player.
"These are the little things that make the difference."
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