2008 friendlies

[Projekt4]

The preparatory schedule before Euro 2008:

6th February Austria - Germany
26th March Switzerland - Germany
27th May Germany - Belarus
31st May Germany - Serbia

I think this is a bit soft - with Switzerland as the biggest opponent. I think a friendly against a big non-European side such as Argentina or Mexico early in 2008 would have made sense. The last highly competitive match was against the Czechs in February 2007 (or so), since then, drawing conclusions from Germany games has been quite impossible mainly due to injuries.

[ForeverRed]

I agree, I'm not so sure about this. And are we still going to play against Austria even though we are in a group with them?

I think France had Romania as a friendly but they canceled that since they will play each other in the group this summer.

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Just before the WC Finals, Germany played Italy (pfft), the US, Luxembourg, Japan and Columbia. All besides Italy not so great opponents either.

[Cris 09]

I think these matches are just to do some final tweaking...they don't mean anything. Loew does not need to play a superpower to figure out where the weeknesses are. He just needs to see them play together.

[Equilibrium]

I think these matches are just to do some final tweaking...they don't mean anything. Loew does not need to play a superpower to figure out where the weeknesses are. He just needs to see them play together.
I agree with this.

[Hendrik]

Löw: "We chose those two teams because, given the information we have, they are similar to our group opponents Poland and Croatia both in mentality and the way they play."



And are we still going to play against Austria even though we are in a group with them?

Yep, just a few days after the first matchday of the Rückrunde so it's pretty pointless anyway. It's sort of a tradition to play Austria and Switzerland before a big tournament.

[ForeverRed]

Löw: "We chose those two teams because, given the information we have, they are similar to our group opponents Poland and Croatia both in mentality and the way they play."




Yep, just a few days after the first matchday of the Rückrunde so it's pretty pointless anyway. It's sort of a tradition to play Austria and Switzerland before a big tournament.

I understand tradition but neither Austria, Switzerland, Serbia or Belarus play like Croatia, sorry. Croatia is a fluent attacking side that can string passes together almost as good as any of the "big" teams. I just hope this is enough preparation.

[Cris 09]

I understand tradition but neither Austria, Switzerland, Serbia or Belarus play like Croatia, sorry. Croatia is a fluent attacking side that can string passes together almost as good as any of the "big" teams. I just hope this is enough preparation.

Let's play England....

[ForeverRed]

Let's play England....

If thats our only option I'd rather stick with whats given. I have confidence in Loew and know he is doing whats best for the team but I just can't help but feel that a game or two against a "big" team can't hurt before a major tournament.

Then again, this might all be part of a masterplan to go into the touranemtn unsuspecting and unprepared and then....BOOOM! Germany wins again! :D

[squidward123]

Let's play England....

you, me, FR, hertha, equilibrium, dead fingers...yup :D

[squidward123]

I understand tradition but neither Austria, Switzerland, Serbia or Belarus play like Croatia, sorry. Croatia is a fluent attacking side that can string passes together almost as good as any of the "big" teams. I just hope this is enough preparation.

belarus should be a technical enough side though

[ForeverRed]

belarus should be a technical enough side though

If they all play like Hleb then I'll be more than satisfied but I somehow doubt that.

[KumarsS]

If they all play like Hleb then I'll be more than satisfied but I somehow doubt that.

To my knowledge Hleb is far and away their best player. I'm somewhat nervous that this batch of friendlies isn't enough to really get us warmed up for the tournament. The one purpose it could serve would be to get Enke some playing time with the starting back four if Lehmann for some reason isn't getting first-team football.

[Projekt4]

A New Year's Wish:
At least these "soft" friendlies give plenty of opportunities to rotate Toni Kroos into the team.:cool:
And others out of it, but I will be kind and name no one today.

I sense a good year 2008 coming...

[Marbur66]

To my knowledge Hleb is far and away their best player.
You understand correctly.