Germany vs Poland [R]

[squidward123]

LMAO!! Good one!! :D

I think painted crow is more apt :D

[marcin79]

yes.
http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/tournament/matches/index.html

Group A winner plays Group B runner up
Broup B winner plays Group A runner up

winner of those play each other.

By the way I think it is stupid. It would be better if teams from one group could only meet again in final. For example winner of quarterfinal A1-B2 meets winner of quarterfinal C1-D2 in semifinal. In second semifinal B1-A2 winner meets D1-C2 winner.

It would also finish talking about easier half of groups and tougher ones.

[marcin79]

Question to Poland supporters, which parts of your team do you think generally are the strongest and which are somewhat weaker ?

What you mean saying "parts"? Players, formations? Or more generally things like tactics, technique, strenght, mentality?

In first case, I think goalkeeper Boruc is our best player and also defensive midfield with Lewandowski and Dudka provides good platform to support defence. Versatility of the likes of Krzynowek, Roger and Smolarek upfront can also be our power in next matches. And exactly we have good coach.

Weakest? Left back and right midfield when we lost our best players on these positions due to injuries, Bronowicki and Blaszczykowski respectively. We also lack good tall forward what could be helpful when playing with one guy upfront. It doesn't mean Smolarek is not good enough, but simply we lack options in attack. Short subs bench is also the problem. Our subs, I believe, are generally much weaker than starting eleven.

Good things: we are physically well prepared. Due to Castrol Index Poland and Germany ran more than any other of eight teams we have seen in tournament so far. Mentally we were finished after second goal yesterday, but until then I was really proud of boys who really tried to equalise. Technical abilities are not our strenght, mainly because very poor level of youth training pitches and resources.

[cookiely]

By the way I think it is stupid. It would be better if teams from one group could only meet again in final. For example winner of quarterfinal A1-B2 meets winner of quarterfinal C1-D2 in semifinal. In second semifinal B1-A2 winner meets D1-C2 winner.

It would also finish talking about easier half of groups and tougher ones.

dito

It is only one game between coming out of the groups and (eventually) meeting again.



about Poland:
I think they are on the right way. They did improve in the last two years.
In four years they got the EC at home and I am fairly sure that they will be able to leave their mark then.

If we go with the new tradition:
european champion, 12 years without a EC victory, european champion, 12 years without a EC victory

you guys might even beat us next time

:( not sure if this is a tradition i would like to start though
aside from the european champion part of course :D

[+Gooner+]

I think painted crow is more apt :D

Hey Squid, where is your painted crow then? Come on, you know you want to join us.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5610/funnypicturescatstalkselp8.jpg

[marcin79]

you guys might even beat us next time

It is not possible. It would be too painful for our journalists if we ever beat Germany. Maybe it sounds crazy but I deeply believe they LOVE losing with Germany. They love writing those dramatic titles in newspapers:

"Hopeless Poland"
"Lost illusions"
"Disillusioned again"

Today I was going to work so I wanted to have something to read in bus. I bought "Przeglad Sportowy" (only sport daily magazine available in Warsaw). I should never ever buy it. I promise I will never do it again (or not until they change editors).

I had impression that they watched other game than I. Everything was helpless, hopeless and we were lost again. No positives. Step back comparing to qualifications (in fact, they always compare it with ONE GAME against Portugal in Chorzow). And all this shite What-does-Lukas-Podolski-and/or-Miro-Klose-feel-when-he-is-listening-to-the-polish-anthem.

After this lecture talking with you guys here...

Its a medicine. Really. Breath of fresh air.

[marcin79]

I forgot to add that in Polish sport newspapers word "illusion" always sounds like something very positive.

[Projekt4]

What you mean saying "parts"? Players, formations? Or more generally things like tactics, technique, strenght, mentality?

In first case, I think goalkeeper Boruc is our best player and also defensive midfield with Lewandowski and Dudka provides good platform to support defence. Versatility of the likes of Krzynowek, Roger and Smolarek upfront can also be our power in next matches. And exactly we have good coach.

Weakest? Left back and right midfield when we lost our best players on these positions due to injuries, Bronowicki and Blaszczykowski respectively. We also lack good tall forward what could be helpful when playing with one guy upfront. It doesn't mean Smolarek is not good enough, but simply we lack options in attack. Short subs bench is also the problem. Our subs, I believe, are generally much weaker than starting eleven.

Good things: we are physically well prepared. Due to Castrol Index Poland and Germany ran more than any other of eight teams we have seen in tournament so far. Mentally we were finished after second goal yesterday, but until then I was really proud of boys who really tried to equalise. Technical abilities are not our strenght, mainly because very poor level of youth training pitches and resources.

Thanks for that, definitely answers my question.

[cookiely]

What? You mean using the burned chicken as my avatar? No problem. :D

It is not only a burned chicken, it is a "burned on the outside raw in the middle" chicken. A truely culinary masterpiece that very few people on this earth can cook right

[squidward123]

Hey Squid, where is your painted crow then? Come on, you know you want to join us.

I actually have a better picture, but my thing doesn't let me because I am not a paying member I think? Are you?

[+Gooner+]

I actually have a better picture, but my thing doesn't let me because I am not a paying member I think? Are you?

Nah, pay for this here? The hell I would! (just kidding. Best forum to talk about the national team as German ones are so club biased it's impossible to have proper discussions)
I just saved the pic to my comp, used the upload-avatar function and it worked. :)

[MicFW]

The chance for Poland to go through to the next round is definitely there. Your team played very well against us, the game in 2006 was much more one-sided. Croatia on the other hand failed to convince in their opening game. That's going to be interesting...

[footyfan1]

The chance for Poland to go through to the next round is definitely there. Your team played very well against us, the game in 2006 was much more one-sided. Croatia on the other hand failed to convince in their opening game. That's going to be interesting...


Agree there. I thought Croatia would give the Germans a run for their money until I saw that match against Austria.

I think Croatia still can, but they'd better get their heads out of their asses.

Not sure about the Poles. They worked their asses off, but in my opinion were never really dangerous.

I think tactical changes, such as some suggested here could help.

[+Gooner+]

It is not possible. It would be too painful for our journalists if we ever beat Germany. Maybe it sounds crazy but I deeply believe they LOVE losing with Germany. They love writing those dramatic titles in newspapers:

"Hopeless Poland"
"Lost illusions"
"Disillusioned again"

Today I was going to work so I wanted to have something to read in bus. I bought "Przeglad Sportowy" (only sport daily magazine available in Warsaw). I should never ever buy it. I promise I will never do it again (or not until they change editors).

I had impression that they watched other game than I. Everything was helpless, hopeless and we were lost again. No positives. Step back comparing to qualifications (in fact, they always compare it with ONE GAME against Portugal in Chorzow). And all this shite What-does-Lukas-Podolski-and/or-Miro-Klose-feel-when-he-is-listening-to-the-polish-anthem.

After this lecture talking with you guys here...

Its a medicine. Really. Breath of fresh air.

Erk, that sounds downright depressing. What do they want? First they create almost impossible expectations and then they fall into depression. They need to give the team some time to develope for heavens sake! If I got that right this is pretty much a completely new team since the WC 2006 and besides of that, there is absolutely no shame in getting beaten by Germany. They can't expect the guys to beat one of the top teams of the world in a EC opener, especially not when Germany is under a lot of pressure and has to prove something.

But I know what you mean. A Polish friend of mine who lives in Germany said that her people just love to moan and be all tragic and miserable (even more than us Germans ;)).

However, there is no reason to moan. You play the EC for the first time so one step after the other. :)

[squidward123]

right, it seems they changed the option after the changes were made 2 weeks ago!

[RibbyBollywood]

Right, Podolski's first goal was offside, The Refs wrongfully called Smolarek offside, and the last goal for Germany I guess, Polish defence made a big blunder, I know, for a goalkeeper, never putz the blasted ball around him in front of the net and I'm under the impression they might have done that especially when you have one of the best goalkeepers in the world.Beenhaakker gambled a bit in his formations and I don't fault him, played aggressively, game 2 is all important, at least they got this loss, against the big team in the group out of the way. They know what they have to do.

[benztown]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/08/sports/SOC-Euro-2008-Extra-Time.php

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8224026

[squidward123]

Right, Podolski's first goal was offside, The Refs wrongfully called Smolarek offside

Na, ESPN did a digital analysis and found nobody to be offside for the podolski goal, and Smolarek was just about a foot offside. Very small, but offside.

[MarocFAN]

SCHLAAAND SCHLAAAND!
Great match from Podolski! I hope the Final will be Portugal vs Germany.

[marcin79]

Erk, that sounds downright depressing. What do they want? First they create almost impossible expectations and then they fall into depression. They need to give the team some time to develope for heavens sake! If I got that right this is pretty much a completely new team since the WC 2006 and besides of that, there is absolutely no shame in getting beaten by Germany. They can't expect the guys to beat one of the top teams of the world in a EC opener, especially not when Germany is under a lot of pressure and has to prove something.

Well, it must be something with polish national character. As I am Polish and live here my whole life I can assure you that Poles are their own biggest enemies. They fight to survive when everybody else would give up, they give up when it is time to fight/work, whatever.

To be succesful in football (and many other areas) it is crucial to work consistently, to invest in youth development, stadiums etc. But it is boring, isn't it? It is much easier to wear national team shirt once a couple of years and to say that we are going to Austria/Switzerland for a place in semifinals or whatever.

And sport journalism is on very, very low level here...