Reasons for optimism

[Miran Klosnic]

He's ballsy too. Selecting Odonkor, Hitzlsperger? Very few managers would be like that.

I like this team; it's not the best team in German history (its one of the worst actually) but the team seems unified and ready. And we will stand by them. :)

The current team is actually better than the teams in the '30s, late '50s, early '80s, 2000, 2002 and 2004! So I wouldn't say it is one of the worst of all time. It is only pretty average in this comparison

[Lionhead]

The current team is actually better than the teams in the '30s, late '50s, early '80s, 2000, 2002 and 2004! So I wouldn't say it is one of the worst of all time. It is only pretty average in this comparison

I'd like to word it differently. I dare to say this is the best team we have since 1990, certainly not the worst ever. The WC might just come a bit to early for this team. I expect it to be in the top 5 within the next two years if the existing players progress and new talents are integrated. That doesn't mean we can do it now. Whoever underestimates us could be in for a big surprise!

[HerrRupert]

Amen to that. Klinsi was the only one with the kahunas to step up and take the challenge nobody else wanted, and in fact nobody has wanted for quite some time. After Vogts left, Germany had to settle for the woefully underqualified Ribbeck, because, you guessed it, none of the other highly qualified managers wanted it (or their contracts with their clubs wouldn't allow it). Then they were saved by Voeller, when nobody else wanted it. Finally, Klinsi stepped up, when the completely available Hitzfeld showed no interest (and again, nobody else wanted it).

And I don't agree with everything Klinsi is doing (most notably playing Frings as the defensive mid). But, by and large, Klinsi is doing a fantastic job, and doing things his way, and injecting a new mentality, and doing things in a new way. This all going to help reinvigorate Germany's national team in the long run.

we will the the results pretty soon

[The Beautiful Frame]

i would like otto or ottmar after this wc

:eek: You lost all credibility and all respect right there. Way to go.

[Lionhead]

If project Klinsi is a failure the DFB will need to revert to recruiting canditates with proven track records like Magath, Augenthaler or Otto even Sammer

[HerrRupert]

:eek: You lost all credibility and all respect right there. Way to go.

eh 2004?

[Bayerntone]

If project Klinsi is a failure the DFB will need to revert to recruiting canditates with proven track records like Magath, Augenthaler or Otto even Sammer

How are they proven?;)

[JeffS]

If project Klinsi is a failure the DFB will need to revert to recruiting canditates with proven track records like Magath, Augenthaler or Otto even Sammer

Be careful when saying the name "Sammer". You might have to absorb the wrath of footyfan. :) ;)

[The Old Lady Hertha]

eh 2004?

eh World Cup qualifications? Albania??? ALBANIA!!! :D

[HerrRupert]

eh World Cup qualifications? Albania??? ALBANIA!!! :D
so ?

kaiserslautern only team ever to win meisterschaft after coming up from 2nd league the coach was?

[HerrRupert]

meanwhile basler:

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„Klinsi Weltmeister? Der ist doch beim Endspiel längst wieder in Kalifornien...“
Von K. TRAEMANN und A. HOFFMANN


Weiß, wo’s lang geht: BILD-Kolumnist Mario Basler



Bei ihm schlägt jeder Satz im Winkel ein...

Promi-Neuzugang im Kreise der BILD-Kolumnisten: Mario Basler (37) gibt ab sofort regelmäßig Gas. Vollgas! Das Premieren-Interview.

Diskutieren Sie über die WM. Sagen Sie uns Ihre Meinung!

Sportwetten bei betandwin! Jetzt 30 Euro WM-Bonus sichern...


KickOut - passend zur Fußball-WM ein Spiel zum Mitfiebern


BILD: Beckenbauer, Netzer – jetzt auch Basler. Was dürfen die Leser vom neuen Fußball-Experten erwarten?

Basler: „Fakten und klare Worte. Ich schreibe hier keine Liebesbriefe! Wenn ich was zu sagen habe, scheppert’s auch mal. Da werden einige Betroffene nach der Frühstücks-Lektüre Bauchweh bekommen...“

BILD: Also los! Was sagen Sie zum Ballack-Drama?

Basler: „Das kann die Mannschaft verkraften. Borowski ist ja gut drauf. Aber es wundert mich, daß Ballack wegen einer Waden-Verhärtung passen muß. Ein gebrochenes Bein – okay! Aber so? Bei der WM im eigenen Land? Das hätte ich mir wegen einer harten Wade nicht nehmen lassen.“

BILD: Wie hoch siegen wir heute ohne Ballack?

Basler: „Entweder 3:2 oder 2:1. Das wird ein enges Ding und kein Schützenfest.“

BILD: Wie bitte?

Basler: „Der Druck ist extrem. Auf dem Weg vom Hotel ins Stadion werden einige Schweißausbrüche bekommen. Da steigt die Anspannung. Da bist du nicht mehr ansprechbar. Schließlich schauen über eine Milliarde Menschen auf dich. Das beflügelt den Außenseiter – und kann den Favoriten lähmen.“

BILD: Wie weit schaffen wir es bei unserer WM?

Basler: „Übers Viertelfinale kommen wir nicht hinaus! Dafür ist die Mannschaft zu schwach. Ich würde mir auch den Titel wünschen. Ohne Frage. Aber wenn du schon einen Arne Friedrich auf rechts bringst, wirst du bei einer WM nicht viel holen. Lahm rechts hinten, Jansen links – das wäre besser.“

BILD: Wer wird unser WM-Star?

Basler: „Klose! Der wird ein gutes Turnier spielen. Im Gegensatz zu Ballack ist er für uns nicht zu ersetzen. Und nach der WM wird er Werder für viel Geld Richtung Ausland verlassen.“

BILD: Und welche Teams kommen ins Endspiel?

Basler: „Portugal und Italien! Die Portugiesen spielen seit Jahren stark. Italien wird nach den Skandalen in der Serie A eine Trotzreaktion zeigen. Da ist Klinsi schon längst wieder in Kalifornien!“

[poorvi]

so ?

kaiserslautern only team ever to win meisterschaft after coming up from 2nd league the coach was?

yes, thats true. Infact i remember they beat Bayern in Olympiastadion in the first game of the season. Who was their coach?

[HerrRupert]

yes, thats true. Infact i remember they beat Bayern in Olympiastadion in the first game of the season. Who was their coach?

otto rehagel

[Bayerntone]

I am doubtful of Basler's tip of Portugal to be the Champ.

Last time they came close but defeated BY a German and his Co. and this time they will be defeated IN Germany. They may either meet Argentina or Holland in the next round.

Italy may have a shot but they have a very tough group. They could be severely battered just to get out of it. They have to take the first spot to avoid Brazil.

@Poorvi: Otto Rehhagel

[HerrRupert]

http://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/0,1518,420084,00.html

[kickinthehead]

After having seen England play Paraguay and watching Sweden:Trinidad right now, I am honestly having no doubt that we can beat both England and Sweden.

[ForeverRed]

After having seen England play Paraguay and watching Sweden:Trinidad right now, I am honestly having no doubt that we can beat both England and Sweden.

Well....T&T played real well defensively and Sweden just couldn't capitalize on their chances...plus, Sweden packs plenty of pace on top which could tear apart our defense.

Let's wait and see what happens in the rest of the group stage games.

[SirManchester]

Sweden will have no problem taking the Germany defense apart, and they're very quick ontop of it which is exactly the kind of team Germany has problems with. Don't underestimate them by any means.

[kickinthehead]

Sweden will have no problem taking the Germany defense apart, and they're very quick ontop of it which is exactly the kind of team Germany has problems with. Don't underestimate them by any means.

I didnt' say it would be easy, but it can definitely be done. Both England and Sweden seemed to have a tough time finishing. England just barely won against a good but by no means extraordinary Paraguay, helped by a paraguayan header autogoal. Sweden couldn't put in a goal against a World Cup novice.

Both Sweden and England are good teams but my gut feeling is that Germany can beat either one.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

We can beat them, but I wouldn't be so optimistic.