Croatia v. Germany [R]

[footyfan1]

I believe that Austria draw puts Croatia through to the next round??

[Lahmfan]

I believe that Austria draw puts Croatia through to the next round??
yep

[The Jitty Slitter]

Well that was the same way that England lost to Croatia at Wembley.


Germany completely lost the central midfield battle. It wasn't until Schweiny came on and he and lahm got some combination going on the left that germany had any parity,


How many times in the first 60 mins did we see Croatia pouring through the middle by attacking and running into space.

That said, both goals came off defensive blunders and that has to be a concern.

[nekkibasara]

I just got finished watching the match so I would like to add my observations.

First off: Congratulations to Croatia and its fans you earned a well deserved victory.

Footyfan1: I was wrong about Croatia’s quality. I guess that’ll teach me to let my emotions cloud my judgement.

Ok to the match.

In the opening ½ hour I felt that the match was mostly even but Croatia was slightly better. They were quicker to the ball and their passes were quick and accurate. Conversely Germany looked tired and many passes were wayward or generally off the mark. After the opening goal Germany looked shocked and Croatia took complete control for the remainder of the first half and should have gone 2-0 through Krajncar.

At half-time I was very disappointed in the addition of Odonkor. He is only useful if we are in the lead and the opponent is chasing the game (IE as a threat on the counter). Germany did, however step up its game early in the second half and was very unlucky not to equalize. We had three gilt edged chances to equalize, but squandered all of them.

The first was a cross to Gomez, who unmarked headed over from close range. The second was from a very poor clearance by Croatia’s keeper that gave Ballack an empty net to shoot at. Had his touch been better today he would most likely have scored, but it seemed every ball he touched was hit too hard. The third was a corner from the left that Metzelder headed over (also completely free and unmarked).

Shortly after this series Gomez beat his man on the left, charged into the box, and fed a pass just behind Klose, who was wide open at the penalty spot. After this scene Croatia countered down the right flank and made it 2-0.

It was at this point that I knew the match was over as a contest. We resorted to long balls and desperation type plays. Luckily Podolski continued his good goal scoring form to rescue our goal differential. We never looked like scoring a second though, but Schweini did have a few good scenes before being sent off.

[footyfan1]

yep

Thanks, I wasn't sure.

[BocaFan]

I believe that Austria draw puts Croatia through to the next round??

More than that. Croatia wins group B.

[Lahmfan]

More than that. Croatia wins group B.
not yet.
if they lose to poland next game and germany win with 2+, then Germany win the group.

[glennaldo_sf]

I believe that Austria draw puts Croatia through to the next round??

Yep.. as group winners. Personally, I hate head-to-head results as a way of determining tie breakers. Goal difference should be used instead. Results against all four teams should be the primary method of determining the final standings.

[Sapphire]

not yet.
if they lose to poland next game and germany win with 2+, then Germany win the group.No, it's decided by head-to-head before goal difference. Croatia beat Germany, so Croatia will finish first.

[glennaldo_sf]

not yet.
if they lose to poland next game and germany win with 2+, then Germany win the group.

Nope.. it's head to head that determines teams tied on points.. they could lose 20-0 and they'd still win the group now.

[BocaFan]

The Austria goal is actually bad news for the neutral observer. Would've been a very interesting night on Monday had Poland won today. Now it's a no brainer: Croatia v winner of Turkey/Czech Rep. in one quarterfinal, Germany v Portugal in the other.

But good for me since I'll be in Dubrovnik the week of the semis. :)

[Cris 09]

Go to the Euro08 Girls thread on the UEFA board...the Swedes ar not to bad either!!

[Lahmfan]

omg 4 people replied to the head-to-head rule lol .. yep you are right, i forget about that dumb@ss rule!

[ForeverRed]

Germany v Portugal in the other.


What makes you so sure that Germany will even go through?

[Sapphire]

omg 4 people replied to the head-to-head rule lol .. yep you are right, i forget about that dumb@ss rule!Heh :) It doesn't make much sense that they include the goal difference on every group table but don't indicate head-to-heads, when that is actually the more relevant criteria for who advances.

[Amsteldam]

Heh :) It doesn't make much sense that they include the goal difference on every group table but don't indicate head-to-heads, when that is actually the more relevant criteria for who advances.
Exactly!!!!
Who's the f__cking idiot that wrote up the tiebreaker rules???
Fire him!

[Sapphire]

Exactly!!!!
Who's the f__cking idiot that wrote up the tiebreaker rules???
Fire him!I was thinking they should fire the person who makes the charts, but your idea is good too. ;)

[Redondo85]

Great game, i agree with sendorange about Podolski. I really felt for Jansen as he's actually quite decent defensively, however he had a real torrid time of it today. One thing's for sure Podolski's presence on the left really dosen't help him because naturally being a striker he was pretty static and isn't really inclined to track back and defend.

I was really glad to see the how cohesive the Croatian midfield were, and difference was plain to see as Modric had more influence over the game and Rakitic acquitted himself really well, as did Niko Kranjcar who really should've put his name on the scoresheet today. Danijel Pranjic also had a good game on the left, as did Mr. Olic who ran himself into complete oblivion again and has been a real workhorse this tournament.

Germany were unlucky on ocassions with two headers from Metzelder (who i thought was one of Germany's better players today) and Mario Gomez. Mario has all the qualities to succeed at this level and it's clear he's quite frustrated by his own performances so far but i think he'll come good in the game against Austria. I do think Podolski on the left may have hindered him a little, although something i have noticed is that Klose has been quite reluctant in some cases to go it alone and has tried to set up Mario when he really should've been a bit more selfish, like against Poland for example.

All thing's considered i expect Loew to change things accordingly.

[matabala]

Great to see the crafty Croatians back to their best!

[BocaFan]

Heh :) It doesn't make much sense that they include the goal difference on every group table but don't indicate head-to-heads, when that is actually the more relevant criteria for who advances.

Obviously its not so clear that head-to-head is more relevant since most club football leagues use goal difference as tiebreaker #1.

IMO, the UEFA tiebreaker puts waaay too much weight on the result of one head-to-head encounter. It almost makes it impossible to leap-frog a team you lost to in the opening match.

What makes you so sure that Germany will even go through?

Because they only need to draw Austria?