who will emerge

[Quaresma_007]

who do ypu think will qualify from that group

[SirManchester]

It's really tough to call this group. Even though Latvia could pull an upset in their two remaining games, they are highly unlikely to go through. As for the remaining teams, From what I've seen in the first round I would say the Czech's and the Germans. I think Germany have the will and the defense to hold off a loss but they would have to capitalize on their counter attack and find a way to finish on them.

I think the Czechs can beat Holland, like in the qualifications, but Holland might very well get their act together. This second round will be vital to all four teams. If the Czechs win, theyre pretty much through, if Germany win, not much pressure will be put on them in the following round, same with Holland if they win.

[BSjanitor]

I can't tell. Czech Republic are not looking as good as they did in qualifying. We'll see after saturday's match vs Holland. Definitely not Latvia, although I think they could well be the ones to pull the upset and decide who stays in Portugal and who goes because the other three teams are pretty even.

[radharani108]

I can't tell. Czech Republic are not looking as good as they did in qualifying. We'll see after saturday's match vs Holland. Definitely not Latvia, although I think they could well be the ones to pull the upset and decide who stays in Portugal and who goes because the other three teams are pretty even.

I bet on Latvia to beat Germany. 10.50 is a great quote. They beat Sweden and Turkey while Germany recently lost to Rumania and Hungary. It is certainly possible.

[Excape Goat]

Germany should go through. Before the tournament, I thought they needed 2 things:

1) Not to lose against Holland(at least play well). The Germans have been lacked of confidence since 2000. If they can somehow steal a point from Holland -- their traditibnal rival and hot favorite, they will gain confidence. In the actual match, they actually played better than the Dutch.

2) Germany needs their young players to respond. They did just that.

[herewego]

In my opinion midfield wins a game and germany has got the best midfield formation and some of the best midfielders in this tournament. Of course, it always can happen that you receive a goal by a single fault of one player or a genius dribbling or distance shoot, but if it's a game with less mistakes, germany is able to controll every game by their midfielders.

[AFCA]

Germany should go through. Before the tournament, I thought they needed 2 things:

1) Not to lose against Holland(at least play well). The Germans have been lacked of confidence since 2000. If they can somehow steal a point from Holland -- their traditibnal rival and hot favorite, they will gain confidence. In the actual match, they actually played better than the Dutch.

2) Germany needs their young players to respond. They did just that.

it seems the germans have become a bit overconfident after outplaying a terrible off-form Dutch team. German defense actually didn't look too good. So I think this group is still 100% open. However, the way most teams are looking right now I agree they have a big chance of getting far. But so do several teams.

[SirManchester]

Well, Germany are the tournament specialist and the team who can handle pressure the best, no matter what the circumstance. I doubt they will roll over Latvia but I'm pretty sure they'll get the result.

I don't think Germany's defense is totally to blame here. I think Voeller's substitution of Ernst for Frings was the reason they conceded the goal. Worms didn't do a bad job in the back, and neither did Nowotny and the center defense was the worrysome area. Germany's problem is their attack, they cannot manage to finish on their counter-attacks, and with only one striker it makes scoring even tougher. I don't think adding another striker will help anything because none of the others are reliable and I don't know whether Voeller should take a chance with Podolsky.

[Excape Goat]

it seems the germans have become a bit overconfident after outplaying a terrible off-form Dutch team. .

As of writing, how do you know that Germany has become overconfident?

[Hadj Ullelah]

As of writing, how do you know that Germany has become overconfident?

Wishful thinking, what else? ;)

[afgrijselijkheid]

As of writing, how do you know that Germany has become overconfident?


ummmm.... because they are germans?

i am sticking with my original prediction ORANJE and germany go through

[Mephistor]

ummmm.... because they are germans?

That would be correct if you has written Oranjes not Germans. ;-)

Holland was so bad at this game that we (the Germans) don't know if we have a chance to go in next round. But Holland has a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig problem I think...the same problem I mention before Euro. Arrogance and no team-spirit and in addition to this no real tactical-concept.

[AFCA]

As of writing, how do you know that Germany has become overconfident?

German press... (I'm starting to sound like Advocaat :D)

Our problems are very big, yes.

[afgrijselijkheid]

That would be correct if you has written Oranjes not Germans. ;-)

Holland was so bad at this game that we (the Germans) don't know if we have a chance to go in next round. But Holland has a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig problem I think...the same problem I mention before Euro. Arrogance and no team-spirit and in addition to this no real tactical-concept.


ORANJE overconfident? who? when? i've yet to see it

you're right the problems are big, but if the coach wises up and the pieces finally click into place... LOOK OUT

and yes, i am fully aware how much "if" that is - maybe i should be more pessimistic, but i just believe that we were meant to go out on penalties like usual

[bkn0528]

this group is so wide open. czechs got the expected points against latvia but just barely. if germany or the netherlands slip up and get a draw or even a loss against the latvians I'd expect them to be out. otherwise, it may come down to head to head or goal difference. my money is on the germans and czechs to go through.