Match 7|Germany vs. Australia|13-06-10|Pre-match discussion

The irrepressible Germans were handed a challenging group to say the least when being drawn alongside Australia, Serbia and Ghana. All three have claims to be South Africa’s surprise package
...There is little doubt that this current crop of German internationals isn’t the best they’ve ever produced
... Germany will be tested to the full in this group, a group many believe could go any which way
...Australia are beginning to become regulars at World Cup’s...
...good news for [Australia] is that Harry Kewell, formerly of Liverpool, is fit enough to play and will give Australia some added width, something which was missing in all three of their warm up games. Everton’s Tim Cahill, who averages a goal every two games for his country, will look to capitalize on any set-plays, with his jinxing runs often impossible to pick up
...After impressing at Germany four years ago, many are expecting Australia to push on and improve...They are a gutsy and determined bunch...a tenacious bunch, a very determined and courageous group.

http://www.soccerbetting.info/news/world-cup-betting-germany-v-australia-sunday-13th-june.html

 

Löw could not really field a more defensive lineup anyway.

 

Anyone can write just about anything nowadays, no? Some of the pre-tournament previews have been just awful.

 

Germany - my guess at their tactical alignment

------------------Neuer------------------
Lahm---Friedrich---Mertesacker---Badstuber
Ozil---Schweinsteiger---Khedira---Podolski
--------------Klose---Muller--------------

 

Nope, this will be the German line-up:


................................Klose................................
Podolski......................Özil.........................Müller
.................Khedira...............Schweinsteiger.........
Badstuber......Friedrich.........Mertesacker........Lahm
................................Neuer................................

 

Precisely.

Is it Garcia with Cahill behind him or vice-versa for Australia?

 

Germany begin their World Cup campaign on Sunday, in what will likely be a tough and bruising encounter against Australia. Germany have had their share of injuries ahead of the World Cup, with Chelsea’s Michael Ballack, number one keeper Rene Adler and full back Heiko Westermann among the prominent omissions from the World Cup squad.
... The Germans have had a pretty decent run up to the World Cup, only suffering one defeat, which was against Argentina in their international friendly matches.
... this opening match will be a good test of the balance of the side. Known for being slow starters, a good win would help them build that all important momentum ahead of tougher groups tests in Serbia and Ghana.
...the Australians...play on the borderline of being over physical...a tough group

http://www.world-cup-betting.me.uk/germany-v-australia-best-odds-tips-and-recommendations.html

 

Probably Cahill behind. This looks like a plan B formation though I expect Kennedy on at some point.

 

Hey Tread, you can cool off on the preview write ups once the game starts, okay........

 

World Cup 2010 Betting – Germany will be happy for a draw against Australia

Australians love claiming the underdog status in any sporting fixture so it is no surprise they have done so in their opening World Cup 2010 clash with Germany on Sunday at Durban Stadium. Their willingness, which borders on an almost genetic disposition, to throw their hands up in the air and decry that they are the rank outsiders, they are the little battlers versus a European powerhouse helps channel their own nervous energy that feeds their “never-say-die” attitude.
...
Predictions:
...a 1-1 draw (+650) with Germany scoring early in the first half (+250) with Australia bouncing back early in the second half with a hectic final 10 minutes from Australia drawing plenty of shots on goal but none connecting.

http://www.betus.com/sports-betting...appy-for-a-draw-against-australia-2010-06-12/

 

Me no think so...

 

Well of course, once the game starts the players write their own story, which is the only story that matters, of course. But it's fun to see what is possibly going through their heads in the pregame.

 

Hope the best for the Socceroos. Will get the AFC more tickets for the next Worldcups!

 

SBS seem to think it's

--Emerton---Culina----Garcia
-----------Cahill

Whatever it is it looks fugly

 

Tournament specialists Germany are the favourites to top this tricky group, in which there is plenty of potential for the Nationalmannschaft to come unstuck. While it would be foolish to write off the Germans, they are not the same force tha they were in 2006, and the absence of captain Michael Ballack is a major blow. Expect six very hard fought games

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3099...968196/world-cup-2010-group-d-betting-preview

 

Haha I was thinking of that song the other day. Would be awesome if we heard that instead of the Vuvuzela's.

 

Ok, closing the thread now. Let's all move to the Match thread.