The German players who will take the field against Costa Rica on Friday are too young to remember the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes by Palestinian "Black September" guerrillas at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

But the experience of seeing the "Friendly Games" turn into a bloodbath left deep scars on Germany, provoked a radical security shake-up whose results are still visible, and remains very much in the minds of police and officials.

"I believe it's an abiding memory and a warning for Germany," says Gregor Rosenthal, a senior interior ministry official helping to lead the copious security planning for the 32-nation World Cup.

Officials say there is no concrete indication that Islamist militants are planning attacks during the tournament, although the general "abstract risk" is high.

They say the opening match in Munich and the July 9 final in Berlin would present the most symbolic, and therefore most attractive, targets.

The massive security net includes NATO air patrols, flight bans over stadiums, 250,000 police on duty around the country and a comprehensive intelligence-sharing network with a round-the-clock unit in Berlin at its nerve centre.

Special forces at the ready include the crack 240-strong GSG 9, created specifically in response to the Munich tragedy.

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