RealGM

i don't think ballack wants to miss this game it would be too much bad luck for him.

spain so far has been a great team, a balanced team, a good midfield that knows how to recover the ball and to build up the attacks. villa was being the main man, and i agree, torres came in as the big star and so far has kind of disappointed. spain's defense also hasn't been too much attacked, but casillas is a guarantee.

now, the germans have battled more in all of their games (well, maybe not vs. poland) but they have overcome so far and their strength and mentality is never a question. you never know when you play vs. the germans.

i want it to be an open offensive game, but i'm sure it's going to be a battle in midfield with little shots on goal. i wonder if aragonés will play fabregas again or will go with guiza.

I'll take Spain.

Most consistent team in EURO 08 by far.

It will be a good match, can't wait.

BlackMamba wrote:i want it to be an open offensive game, but i'm sure it's going to be a battle in midfield with little shots on goal. i wonder if aragonés will play fabregas again or will go with guiza.

It's almost unbelievable how many goals Germany scored since Klinsmann took over the team. I'm not talking pointless friendlies or qualifiers against San Marino, but knockout games in tournaments:

2005 Confed Cup:

Germany 4 – 3 Australia
Tunisia 0 – 3 Germany
Argentina 2 – 2 Germany

Germany 2 – 3 Brazil

Germany 4 – 3 (a.e.t.) Mexico


2006 World Cup

Germany 4 – 2 Costa Rica
Germany 1 – 0 Poland
Ecuador 0 – 3 Germany

Germany 2 - 0 Sweden

Germany 1 - 1 Argentina

Germany 0 - 2 Italy

Germany 3 - 1 Portugal



2008 Euro

Germany 2 – 0 Poland
Croatia 2 – 1 Germany
Austria 0 – 1 Germany

Portugal 2 – 3 Germany

Germany 3 – 2 Turkey


We scored at least 3 goals in 8 of those 17 games. Remained scoreless just onces. And now there comes Spain, the team that so far scored the most goals in the tournament.

I hope, and really expect fireworks up front. The German Defense can't stop Fabreagas, Iniesta, Torres and Xavi, but the Spaniards will have there handful with Klose and our other long dudes going to work in the middle after Scheinsteiger/Podolski crosses. Unfortunately, Iker Casillas eats Jens Lehmann for breakfast, which could really be our big disadvantage.
Well, I predict a fun and highscoring game, 2-2 after 90 mins, 3-3 after extra time, Germany wins the penalties.

My lineup (without Ballack, but I still think the news about his injury are just smokescreens from the German camp)

--------------Lehmann--------------
Fried.-----Merte--Metze-----Lahm
-----------Rolfes---Frings-----------
Schweini-----------------------Hitz.
-------------Klose---Poldi-----------

with Ballack


--------------Lehmann--------------
Fried.-----Merte--Metze------Lahm
-----------Hitz.----Frings-----------
Schweini----Ballack-------Poldi
---------------Klose------------------

Sergio Ramos will have a field day with our left side, if Lahm plays like he did against Turkey. But again, I believe in our firepower and efficiency. Score one goal more than the opponent and you win...

By the way...

a link for the Ladies in the house: http://www.spiegel.de/international/eur ... 32,00.html

Spain's been red hot in the tourney, and will be the favorites...

But history's BY FAR on the German side. IIRC Spain is only playing for their first international tourney finals win, while Germany's the team that won the most Euro trophies.

I get the feeling Germany's gonna win again.

Kinda like the Lakers vs Celtics finals series... Lakers were the more impressive team thru-out the playoffs and bookies all had em as clear favorites... but almost everybody forgot that Boston pwned em during the reg season...

b-ball forever wrote:Spain's been red hot in the tourney, and will be the favorites...

But history's BY FAR on the German side. IIRC Spain is only playing their first international tourney finals, while Germany's the team that won the most Euro trophies.

I get the feeling Germany's gonna win again.

Kinda like the Lakers vs Celtics finals series... Lakers were the more impressive team thru-out the playoffs and bookies all had em as clear favorites... but almost everybody forgot that Boston pwned em during the reg season...

didn't they play France in the EC final back in 1984?

Ya, they did. I meant to say they never won.

EDIT : But now I looked it up and they actually did win once.. in 1964, rofl.

Germany still has way more silverware, and has been way more successfull in recent years tho

Soon, I will be leaving for the public viewing. To the German team only 1 message:

HOLT EUCH DEN POTT!!!
(Get that trophy!!!)

^ good luck.

I still don't think Germany's defense is strong enough. Spain should finally win something for once

Good luck to Germans.

Hopefully we ll have a final matches to overall tournament excitement wise.

great, great finish by Torres.

ballack needs a card

and got one.

Ballack is a dirty player.

Ballack is a champ, and Torres just scored a world class goal.

Oh god, that had to hurt. BREATHE dude, BREATHE!

How is that a yellow for Torres?!??!

Watching Rosetti brings back bad memories of Turkey-Croatia. He murders the flow of the game with his dumb foul calls and cards.

and thats game

My condolences German friends but even they ll agree that they didnt deserve to win this game and the tournament. frankly, i expected lot more from Germany.

Spain was the best team from start to finish and fully deserved this, congrats Spain.

germany was lucky to get this far, looked averaged out there