"Ruthless Germans" or lazy headline writers?

I hate to fall into the "political-correctness-gone-mad" trap but honestly can't help thinking if Brazil had won a football match 4-0 they would be described as "Brilliant", France; "Fantastic", England; "Outstanding" - all very positive superlatives. 

But within seconds of Germany recording a 4-0 win I was quick to pose the question on Twitter: "Who will be the first media outlet to describe Germany as "ruthless", if not "ruthlessly efficient"?"

The answer followed almost as quickly. Step forward the BBC:

I look forward to the broadcaster's coverage of "the inscrutable Japanese" tomorrow afternoon.

Comments

[Mike]

Surely the Japanese will be referred to as 'honourable'?

[Chris Lee]

Almost as hackneyed as the use of 'ruthless' is the use of the German fist-pump celebration and wave-index-finger-in-air celebration that we've seen ever since Italia 90. I blame Rudi Voller....