Croatia v. Germany [R]

[glennaldo_sf]

I really want to see Austria win tonight to set up an Austria v Germany showdown!

[sendorange]

I'd give Portugal an advantage, although considering how poor Portugal look on setpieces and with Gomes upfront they're not certain of beating any decent team.

[BakedAlaskan]

It's more than just that. You may not want to give Croatia credit, but just saying Germany played absolutely horrible is bullshit.

Bilic kicked Loew's ass tactically. He showed everyone else the recipe for beating Germany.

Put speed in the midfield and challenge every ball.
So you're saying that Germany didn't play that badly?

[footyfan1]

So you're saying that Germany didn't play that badly?

I'm saying they didn't look good because Croatia didn't back down from them and challenged them every step of the way.

[forza_azzurri]

Germany vs Portugal in the Quarters, i didnt want it to happen but after seeing this game and Germany's weakness at stopping dribbling attacks (portugal's specialty) I'm not worried at all.

The thing I can't get over is how slow both teams were, it looks like an over 40 league. I can't wait for Portugal's speed to destroy either one of these two.

When Germany wants to play ...they will play.

They turn it on and off like Italians.

Looking forward to Germany-Portugal.

Two opposites. One team is disciplined and united. The other is full of over hyped individuals.

Guess who is who ???

[BocaFan]

Not necessarily.. Poland could win their last two games and take top spot.

Do you really see Poland beating Croatia by 3 goals?

[sendorange]

So you're saying that Germany didn't play that badly?
They were made to look bad by a good team who played well. I didn't see any big difference between this performance and the Poland game, just the standard of the opposition was much higher in all departments.

[Fan123]

Wow, now this is the Croatia team that beat England! I was so sure Croatia would be crushed today. But then, I did believe all the hype about THE favorite, Germany. I would say Portugal is more than capable of sending them home early. (Can't, believe I am saying this, but prove your worth here, Ronaldo!)

[FNU]

If I was Portugal, I wouldn't want to face Germany with Ricardo in goal. Croatia is a quality side, MUCH MUCH BETTER than Turkey and Czech Rep.

[KumarsS]

They were made to look bad by a good team who played well. I didn't see any big difference between this performance and the Poland game, just the standard of the opposition was much higher in all departments.

Oh, wow. We are totally disagreed. The performance against Poland would have defeated Croatia too, if it had been replicated.

[Emperor_Norton]

Croatia deserved this victory. They were better in all departments.

And yet, I am somewhat confident in the future chances of our team. Group stage doesn`t matter (as long as we win against Austria, of course). And if I look back on previous tournaments such results might help to get back both feet on the ground. Whether this match was bad or even positive for our team remains to be seen. But it is too early to make an assessment.

[drahnier]

Oh, wow. We are totally disagreed. The performance against Poland would have defeated Croatia too, if it had been replicated.
How could you know that?

Poland had zero defense, it would be impossible to play like they did against Poland in this match.

[glennaldo_sf]

Do you really see Poland beating Croatia by 3 goals?

They don't need to. Head-to-head is used to determine teams tied on points.. not goal differential. So if Poland beats Austria tonight.. and then Croatia - they will pip them on head-to-head. Of course if Germany also beats Austria then the three teams will all have 6 points and the group will be decided by a mini-group standings of the results between the three teams. Remember Sweden-Denmark-Italy four years ago?

[nekkibasara]

Terrible game by Germany. Croatia executed their gameplan to perfection and were deserved winners. Now its time to go cry in my beer.

[Fan123]

Oh, wow. We are totally disagreed. The performance against Poland would have defeated Croatia too, if it had been replicated.

Poland just sucked. They had no offensive power, no chances, and obviously, no skill in holding the ball like Croatia did today.

[Pit-182]

The sebquence of goals of the first two games of Germany reminds a lot of italy in Korea 2002 (and that is not really good for germany :p)

Think about it.
- First Game. In Korea we won 2-0 with two goal by the same player, that was Vieri... In Euro 2008 Germany won 2-0 with Polonia (Polska?) with two goal by podolski
- Second Game. Both team lose 2-1 against Croatia, and the only goal they score is made by the same player who scored in the first game.

This doesn't take luck to Germany.

[Purger]

I'm not only hoping but also expect much better display than against Austria. We have this habit of underestimating weaker teams and putting our worst performances against them, while against strong opposition we tend to play much better. The bigger the name, the better we play..


Well, not a surprise for me. Just saw that coming...:D

[Amsteldam]

Dont feel like reading 30 pages, what was the red card for on Schweinie???

[Colm]

Dont feel like reading 30 pages, what was the red card for on Schweinie???someone tackled him then he shoved the player to the floor.

[TariboWest33]

http://vinovo.magnify.net/watch/playlist/Q6RZD98MYDQ93TVV
Goals and chances from matches

Congrats to Croatia, deserved win