JeffS
15 May 2006, 06:53 PM
Most people are pretty pessimistic about Germany's prospects for the WC.
But here are some reasons for optimism:
1. Miroslav Klose - 25 goals in 25 games this season. In a word, phenomenal. I'll even make the argument that Klose has emerged as a true world class striker. Don't laugh. Again, he's scored 25 goals in 25 games this season. That, folks, takes world class talent. Klose's game has improved by leaps and bounds, particularily since he arrived at Bremen. He's no longer the one-dimensional, goals only in the air sneaking behind unaware defenders type of player. He is now a true striker. He scores goals of all kinds. All he needs is the smallest of cracks, or the smallest of opportunities, and he'll take advantage of it. He is really showing a deft touch, and a pinpoint shot nowadays, and looks just as good on the ground as he's always been in the air.
The goal Klose scored just this Saturday would have made Shevchenko, or Crespo, or Ronaldinho proud. It was only a half chance. He had a defender draped on him. He had the goalie cutting off his angle. He had to really stretch to even reach the ball. But he got it, and cleverly flicked it into the upper right hand corner of the net, with the on rushing goalie and defender unable to do anything about it. Only elite players could have scored on that play, and Klose did score.
Another Klose goal, featured in the Bundesliga Highlight show's goals of the year, was a rocket shot from just outside the left hand corner of the penalty box, put into the upper right hand corner of the net, beyond the diving reach of the goalie.
And, again, 25 goals in 25 games.
Klose is really stepping up, and should be a force to be reckoned with in June.
2. Ballack - as good as ever. He has scored in just under half of his Germany games, as a midfielder. He just led Bayern to two consectutive domestic doubles. He led Leverkusen to the CL final. He leads Germany in scoring in WC qaulifiers. he was phenomenal at WC02, and is even better now. Need I go on? Ballack, for the past 4 or 5 years, has been considered to be Germany's one true world class player. He deserves that distinction, except now I think he's no alone.
3. Jens Lehmann. Is there another 'keeper anywhere in the world in better form? Lehmann's been a monster for Arsenal in the CL, and in the EPL, and his form unseated super stud (although declining) incombant Ollie Kahn.
4. Bastian Schweinsteiger - super talent. A bit inconsistent, but very skillfull, creative, exciting, and capable of making huge plays at any time. This might be a break out tournament for Schweini.
5. Phillip Lahm - Still very young, but very gifted, and continually improving. May become a true world class left back before long. Very good going forward, solid in the back, very skilled, and has lot's of speed.
6. Tim Borowski - He's had a breakout season for Bremen. 10 goals as a midfielder. He has good skill on the ball, he's creative at times, he's an accurate passer, he reads the field well, has a rocket shot, and works hard for the whole game.
7. David Odonkor ....
????????? WTF ?????????? ....
yup, David Odonkor. ....
Yes, he lacks true pro skill and polish. Yes, he's still raw. Yes, he's never played for the German nats before. But here are the top reasons why David Odonkor will make a (positive) impact this summer:
Speed
Speed
energizer bunny
Speed
Blazing Speed
Good crosses
supersonic speed
Non stop energy
Lightning speed
Faster than a cheetah
Speed,
... and did I mention speed??
Don't underestimate this. Germany overall lacks team speed. And David Odonkor is arguably the fastest player of all teams going into the WC. When he's in, he'll pin down the left mid and left defender of the opposition, simply because they'll be trying to catch up to Odonkor, and won't be able to go forward. And he'll blow past anyone on the flank. And he'll do it for the entire game (or from the point he's inserted as a sub in case the German attack is listless) without losing any speed or energy. And many of those times he blows past everyone on the flank, he'll actually get a decent cross in (without dribbling out of bounds ;) ), where Klose, Poldi (or Nueville) will be eagerly eating the crosses up. In any case, if Odonkor gets any PT, it will be an absolute blast to watch him.
There now, doesn't everyone feel better? ;)
But here are some reasons for optimism:
1. Miroslav Klose - 25 goals in 25 games this season. In a word, phenomenal. I'll even make the argument that Klose has emerged as a true world class striker. Don't laugh. Again, he's scored 25 goals in 25 games this season. That, folks, takes world class talent. Klose's game has improved by leaps and bounds, particularily since he arrived at Bremen. He's no longer the one-dimensional, goals only in the air sneaking behind unaware defenders type of player. He is now a true striker. He scores goals of all kinds. All he needs is the smallest of cracks, or the smallest of opportunities, and he'll take advantage of it. He is really showing a deft touch, and a pinpoint shot nowadays, and looks just as good on the ground as he's always been in the air.
The goal Klose scored just this Saturday would have made Shevchenko, or Crespo, or Ronaldinho proud. It was only a half chance. He had a defender draped on him. He had the goalie cutting off his angle. He had to really stretch to even reach the ball. But he got it, and cleverly flicked it into the upper right hand corner of the net, with the on rushing goalie and defender unable to do anything about it. Only elite players could have scored on that play, and Klose did score.
Another Klose goal, featured in the Bundesliga Highlight show's goals of the year, was a rocket shot from just outside the left hand corner of the penalty box, put into the upper right hand corner of the net, beyond the diving reach of the goalie.
And, again, 25 goals in 25 games.
Klose is really stepping up, and should be a force to be reckoned with in June.
2. Ballack - as good as ever. He has scored in just under half of his Germany games, as a midfielder. He just led Bayern to two consectutive domestic doubles. He led Leverkusen to the CL final. He leads Germany in scoring in WC qaulifiers. he was phenomenal at WC02, and is even better now. Need I go on? Ballack, for the past 4 or 5 years, has been considered to be Germany's one true world class player. He deserves that distinction, except now I think he's no alone.
3. Jens Lehmann. Is there another 'keeper anywhere in the world in better form? Lehmann's been a monster for Arsenal in the CL, and in the EPL, and his form unseated super stud (although declining) incombant Ollie Kahn.
4. Bastian Schweinsteiger - super talent. A bit inconsistent, but very skillfull, creative, exciting, and capable of making huge plays at any time. This might be a break out tournament for Schweini.
5. Phillip Lahm - Still very young, but very gifted, and continually improving. May become a true world class left back before long. Very good going forward, solid in the back, very skilled, and has lot's of speed.
6. Tim Borowski - He's had a breakout season for Bremen. 10 goals as a midfielder. He has good skill on the ball, he's creative at times, he's an accurate passer, he reads the field well, has a rocket shot, and works hard for the whole game.
7. David Odonkor ....
????????? WTF ?????????? ....
yup, David Odonkor. ....
Yes, he lacks true pro skill and polish. Yes, he's still raw. Yes, he's never played for the German nats before. But here are the top reasons why David Odonkor will make a (positive) impact this summer:
Speed
Speed
energizer bunny
Speed
Blazing Speed
Good crosses
supersonic speed
Non stop energy
Lightning speed
Faster than a cheetah
Speed,
... and did I mention speed??
Don't underestimate this. Germany overall lacks team speed. And David Odonkor is arguably the fastest player of all teams going into the WC. When he's in, he'll pin down the left mid and left defender of the opposition, simply because they'll be trying to catch up to Odonkor, and won't be able to go forward. And he'll blow past anyone on the flank. And he'll do it for the entire game (or from the point he's inserted as a sub in case the German attack is listless) without losing any speed or energy. And many of those times he blows past everyone on the flank, he'll actually get a decent cross in (without dribbling out of bounds ;) ), where Klose, Poldi (or Nueville) will be eagerly eating the crosses up. In any case, if Odonkor gets any PT, it will be an absolute blast to watch him.
There now, doesn't everyone feel better? ;)