El Symbols, new book out I think you'd be really into. Das Reboot: How German Football Reinvented Itself and Conquered the World, by Raphael Honigstein. Title pretty much speaks for itself. Just heard an interview with the author and it seems to cover loads of stuff I think you're interested in. Honigstein is generally a v good writer.
Anyway, might be something you want to check out.
http://www.amazon.com/Das-Reboot-Ger.../dp/1568585306